How to solve today's Wordle.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLooking for Thursdays Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here:Friday is here at lastTGIF!!and here in the mountains of the great southwest, it is finally snowing. Its probably too little, too late given how dry this winter has been, but well take what we can get!In any case, I have snowmen to build and shoveling to do, so lets solve this Wordle!How To Solve Todays WordleThe Hint: ArmyThe Clue: This Wordle has a double letter.Okay, spoilers below!...The Answer:Today's WordleScreenshot: Erik KainWordle AnalysisEvery day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. Id say that today, instead of taking a bite out of crime, CRIME took a bite out of Wordle. Or something. My opener left me with just 83 possible solutions and one green box. I picked all new letters for my second guess, SPOUT, and narrowed the remaining choices to just two words, though I only came up with one: TROOP for the win! PROTO was the other possible answer, but that never even crossed my mind.Competitive Wordle ScoreToday's Wordle BotScreenshot: Erik KainI get 1 point for guessing in three and 0 for tying the Bot. The Bot gets the exact same score.March Running Total: 10 points.Wordle Bot Running Total: -3 points.How To Play Competitive WordleGuessing in 1 is worth 3 points; guessing in 2 is worth 2 points; guessing in 3 is worth 1 point; guessing in 4 is worth 0 points; guessing in 5 is -1 points; guessing in 6 is -2 points and missing the Wordle is -3 points.If you beat your opponent you get 1 point. If you tie, you get 0 points. And if you lose to your opponent, you get -1 point. Add it up to get your score. Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.Fridays are 2XP, meaning you double your pointspositive or negative.You can keep a running tally or just play day-by-day. Enjoy!Todays Wordle EtymologyThe word "troop" comes from the Old French trope (12th century), meaning "band" or "company," which itself derived from the Medieval Latin troppus, possibly of Germanic origin. It originally referred to a group of people or soldiers and later extended to refer to groups of animals (e.g., a troop of monkeys). The military sense of "troops" as in "soldiers collectively" emerged in the 17th century.Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when Im not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

Aerial shot of Las Vegas, Nevada at night. Authorization was obtained from the FAA for this ... [+] operation in restricted airspace.gettyHIMSS 2025, the global healthcare conference, has brought together 28,000 attendees this week, with AI taking center stage as it did at the ViVE event two weeks ago. Healthcare CIOs are zeroing in on the following areas to fuel innovation and upgrade their existing solutions. Heres what's drawing their focus from the event.Clinical Decision MakingMicrosoft booth had a large attendance following their announcement of the Dragon Copilot. The company finally combines its voice dictation product with the ambient listening solution. Many healthcare provider organizations have both products, and this is an opportunity to consolidate them by having the products operate on a single platform. The Dragon Copilot announcement is another stickiness to the Microsoft ecosystem of Microsoft Fabric, Copilot Studio, and Azure AI Foundry. In my discussion with Microsoft, they have approximately thirty healthcare partners and are growing in their Copilot Studio platform.One of the partners, Wolters Kluwer, announced the integration of its UpToDate solution with the healthcare agent service in Microsoft Copilot Studio. Greg Samios, President and CEO of Clinical Effectiveness for Wolters Kluwer Health said "Seconds can make all the difference in clinical decision making, and through our collaborations, we're focused on speed to the right answer wherever you are in the clinical workflow".Google Cloud announced new generative AI capabilities called Visual Q&A that will search tables, charts, and diagrams to process diverse patient data, medical images, and others to help provide a comprehensive view of the patient. Enterprise search within the EMR has improved dramatically with generative AI capabilities, and the EMR companies are partnering with their preferred cloud vendor to incorporate this feature. MEDITECH EMR has developed its AI-powered search within its Expanse productOracle announced similar capabilities in Q4 last year with its clinical AI agent that can handle patient queries.Overall, every healthcare technology vendor is developing a solution incorporating generative AI to improve and speed up clinical decision-making.Patient EngagementEnsuring patients are efficiently scheduled and seen by doctors is a top priority for healthcare providers. With high turnover in contact center staff, healthcare operations leaders are turning to automation to improve efficiency. As generative AI accelerates clinical decision-making, it also enhances contact centers by providing agents with instant patient information, leading to better interactions.Webex has integrated its Contact Center features with Epics Cheers module and Hyperdrive interface. With this integration, Webex agents can manage conversations directly within Epic, eliminating the need to switch between windows or systems. This streamlined workflow enhances efficiency and simplifies the contact center/patient interaction.Similarly, RevSpring announced its virtual healthcare agent to enhance the patient and customer service staff experience. RevSpring president Nicole Rogas said, By combining AI, data-driven insights, and personalized engagement, we empower patients to better understand their financial obligations, simplify billing and payments, and easily access financial assistance.The market is flooded with AI-powered virtual agents, all promising to transform patient interactions through phone, text, and online chat. These solutions tap into dynamic knowledge bases to answer questions, automate tasks, and enhance self-service options. While many will offer similar capabilities, the real differentiator lies in how effectively they reduce staff workload and refocus healthcare teams on patient care.Cybersecurity ScareCybersecurity keeps every healthcare leader on high alert. During the Vegas event, a client I advised faced a potential security scare. I got a call warning of a possible compromise. Fortunately, it turned out to be a false alarm, with no signs of an actual intrusion. The organization had received a letter similar to the one Arctic Wolf posted. Carter Groome, Chief Executive Officer of First Health Advisory, a veteran in the information security space, said, "Weve seen a significant uptick in phishing, brute force, and social engineering attacks in the last couple of weeks." This trend will continue, and it will not stop.Healthcare CIOs continue strengthening their security posture while keeping up with the recent HIPAA updates. It will be interesting if the guidelines from the previous administration on HIPAA will stay. Carter Groome said, I'm not sure if that will even be considered, but if healthcare entities need the government to guide them on how to protect their business, they have bigger issues.HIMSS 2025 had great energy on the show floor, with new product announcements everywhere. Zafar Chaudry, Chief Digital Officer & Chief AI and Information Officer at Seattle Children's Hospital, summed it up and said, At HIMSS 2025, AI and efficiency took center stage, fueling the next wave of healthcare transformation.The question remains about how many of these products healthcare organizations will adopt and whether they will help them provide quality care at a lower cost.

Google may now give you answers instead of links. GoogleGoogle Disrupts Itself With AI Mode. The search giant has launched a new search service that responds to queries with answers instead of links. If natural language is the new operating interface, and agents the ones doing the shopping, what good are links anyway? Whats the value of a click when mostly bots are doing the clicking? Googles innovators dilemma, writes Shelly Palmer, is, as the industry leader, how does it both protect its 260 billion dollar legacy business from disruption from the likes of OpenAI and Perplexity, while staying on offense. In essence, to retain dominance in search, or whatever comes after, Google must disrupt itself before someone else does.Congressmen try out Qualcomm AI Smart Glasses at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, on ... [+] March 6, 2025. (Photo by Marc Asensio/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesMobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 wrapped up in Barcelona. Like CES in two months ago, AI was everywhere. Audio and video smart glasses made a strong showing, sporting new AI features. Metas clearly in the lead here but there are many others doing AI smartglasses with AI models other than Llama, which powers Metas glasses.A woman tries on artificial intelligence and virtual reality glasses at the Mobile World Congress ... [+] 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, on March 5, 2025. (Photo by Marc Asensio/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesRay-Ban Meta smart glasses were all over. They sold over a million units over the holidays, and offer solutions l ike real-time translation and hands-free communication, blending Luxottica Ray-Ban style with AI-powered functionality. It seems, the AI-driven audio smart glasses are adding features every month. Theyre now capable of remembering user preferences for a more personalized experience.Agility Robotics' robot is pictured on stage at the MWC (Mobile World Congress), the world's biggest ... [+] mobile fair, in Barcelona on March 4, 2025. Surrounded by investment and innovation projects, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) kicks off today in Barcelona amid a context of euphoria but also tensions over artificial intelligence (AI), whose rapid advancement is shaking up the tech sector. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesTCLs RayNeo X3 Pro video display glasses for gaming and entertainment enlarge the small screen of a handheld device into a 200 inch screen. Brilliant Labs introduced open-source AI-powered eyewear, allowing developers to build custom applications.Samsung's Project Moohan headsets are on display during the 2025 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ... [+] Spain, on March 3, 2025. The 2025 Mobile World Congress MWC opened here on Monday, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and technology innovators to explore advancements in 5G, artificial intelligence AI, and advanced connectivity. (Photo by Zhao Dingzhe/Xinhua via Getty Images)Xinhua News Agency via Getty ImagesThe fully occluded mixed reality Samsung Moohan is poised to challenge Apple's stumbling Vision Pro with better specs and lower pricing, except for one important thing. Unless Samsung and its partners, Google and Qualcomm, have discovered a new consumer use case for fully occluded mixed reality, Moohan is destined for the same fate as the Vision Pro, languishing in a drawer for want of a reason to use it.The Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC) kicks off in Barcelona, Spain, on March 1, 2025, becoming the ... [+] global epicenter of technological innovation. Organized by the GSMA, the event showcases the latest innovations and advancements in mobile technology, telecommunications, and digital connectivity, with a strong focus on the development of 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. This edition also highlights digital sustainability and the industry's transformation towards a smarter and more connected future. (Photo by Charlie Perez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesHonor announced a $10 billion investment over five years to expand into AI-driven devices. Their new three-phase strategy is to enhance smartphones with AI, including developing a personal assistant UI Agent, with Qualcomm and Google (who else?), that interacts with on-screen interfaces to perform tasks like booking reservations. Originally a Huawei sub-brand, Honor became independent in 2020 when it was sold to Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology Co., Ltd. to evade U.S. sanctions. Since then, it has secured substantial funding from China Mobile, China Telecom, CICC Capital Corp, and Shenzhens SDG Group, with strong backing from the Shenzhen government. The have since expanded beyond smart phones to AI-powered PCs, tablets, and wearables, including the MagicBook Pro 14, Pad V9, Watch 5 Ultra, and Earbuds Open.Peer raises $10.5M for metaverse engine, launches 3D personal planets. Peer launched its "personal planets" feature, enabling users to create 3D social hubs within the metaverse. Peer leverages AI to generate games, characters, and experiences, connecting users in real-time. Future plans include location-based mechanics, digital property sales, and premium experiences, aiming for accessibility across devices. This round brings Peers total capital raised to $65.5 million, all from angel investors. The sole investor in this round is the Family Office of Tommy Mai. You can download it now from the app stores.Some of the game levels or worlds that Welevel has created. WelevelWelevel raises $5.7 million in seed funding, led by BITKRAFT Ventures. The German game company will use the funds to expand its AI-driven game development tools. Welevel plans to double its development team as it works on a AAA sandbox survival game set to enter early access next year. Founded in 2021, welevel integrates AI to enhance world-building, NPC behavior, and quest generation. Investors include figures from Roblox, Shopify, Crunchyroll, Oculus, and ESL. With AI streamlining production, the studio seeks to compete with larger game developers while maintaining creative flexibility and reducing costs.Anton Dvorkovich, Founder & CEO of Dubformer. PETR TITARENKODubformer Raises $3.6M to Enhance AI Dubbing with Emotional Expression. Dubformers Emotion Transfer technology enhances dubbing by replicating emotional nuances rather than simply cloning voices, addressing the limitations of traditional AI-generated speech.Noctals AI sound design platform automates sound effect placement, synchronizing audio with video ... [+] actions while offering intelligent recommendations and a customizable sound library. Founded by Isaiah Chavous and James Paul, Noctal aims to streamline production workflows for creators, studios, and editors.NoctalNoctal Raises $1.8M to Launch AI-Powered Sound Design Platform. Noctals AI automates sound effect placement, synchronizing audio with video actions while offering intelligent recommendations and a customizable sound library. Founded by Isaiah Chavous and James Paul, LA-based Noctal will streamline production workflows for creators, studios, and editors. The round was led by Caruso Ventures, with participation from Media Empire Ventures (founded by Grimes, Daouda Leonard, and Mac Boucher), along with investors including Xs Head of Original Content Mitchell Smith and MLB player Tony Kemp.Animal Company, a free-to-play virtual reality game developed by Wooster Games, has rapidly gained popularity since its early access launch on the Quest platform in July 2024. Drawing inspiration from titles like Gorilla Tag and Lethal Company, it features arm-powered locomotion and cooperative gameplay where players explore environments, collect loot, and evade monsters. As of March 2025, Animal Company surpassed one million monthly active users, becoming Quest's top-earning game for the week, overtaking Gorilla Tag. The game's revenue model relies entirely on in-app purchases, including cosmetic items and an in-game currency called Company Coins. Recent updates, such as the Tech Tree, Mining, and Planetarium, have significantly boosted user engagement and activity.Austin's annual music, film, technology and culture conference starts this week and runs through ... [+] March 15th.SXSWThe South-by-Southwest Festival is set to begin on tomorrow, March 7th and runs through March 15th, in Austin Texas. Founded in 1987 as a music festival, it has since evolved into a major film festival, and now includes a conference with famous speakers like Michelle Obama, an XR exhibition, technology, games, poster art, and comedy. The author of this column, Charlie Fink, is slated to have a fireside chat with Light Field Labs CEO Jon Karafin (founder of Lytro) about his development of naked-eye holograms, which presents 3D figures and objects made purely of light.What Were ReadingDoes anyone care about VR anymore? It still doesnt have that "killer" app (Zak Storey/TechRadar)

In this photo is a business sign hanging over the entrance to a Walgreens pharmacy and store in ... [+] Alexandria, Virginia. (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images)Getty ImagesWalgreen Boots Alliance will become privately held in a takeover by the investment firm Sycamore Partners for more than $10 billion, the companies announced Thursday.The deal, which had been rumored for months, calls for Walgreens shareholders to receive $11.45 per share in cash at closing of the Sycamore purchase and one non-transferable right to receive up to $3 in cash per WBA share from the future monetization of WBAs debt and equity interests in VillageMD, which includes the Village Medical, Summit Health and CityMD businesses, the companies said.Sycamores agreement to pay $11.45 per share is 29% above where the stock price was trading in December and represents an equity value of around $10 billion, the companies confirmed.Leveraging (Walgreens Boots Alliances healthcare expertise and Sycamores established leadership in retail and consumer services, WBA will be better positioned to become the first choice for pharmacy, retail and health services, the companies said Thursday after closing of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company will continue to operate under Walgreens, Boots and its trusted portfolio of consumer brands. WBA will maintain its headquarters in the Chicago area and continue contributing to the communities in which it operates, with the goal of positively impacting the health outcomes and overall well-being of its customers, patients, communities and team members.News of the Walgreens sale comes as rival CVS Health is committed to keeping all of its businesses including its retail pharmacies and growing Oak Street senior health center operation. CVS also owns the nations third largest health insurance company in Aetna and one of the nations largest pharmacy benefit management (PBM) companies in Caremark. Owning a health insurer and PBM allows those CVS companies to buy services from its provider operations at discounts for health plan enrollees as well as employer and government clients.Walgreens stock has been plummeting in recent years in part due to a disastrous rollout of clinics attached to stores. That has led the company to close hundreds of stores to reduce debt an stem financial losses.Under former chief executive Roz Brewer, Walgreens spent billions of dollars investing in and operating physician-staffed clinic operator VillageMD.Walgreens invested more than $6 billion in VillageMD under Brewer to take a controlling stake, but the company has already scaled back dramatically on the expansion of doctor practices and clinics the company opened attached to Walgreens. In 2020, Walgreens said it planned to open 500 to 700 Village Medical at Walgreens physician-led primary care clinics in more than 30 U.S. markets over five years, with the intent to build hundreds more thereafter.But Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth, who replaced Brewer in October 2023, said a year ago that Walgreens and partner VillageMD have slowed the number clinic openings in part because the operators havent been able to fill their patient panels, which are a certain number of individual patients under the care of a specific provider.Meanwhile, Walgreens, which has been closing stores and cutting costs, reported a net loss of $265 million, or 31 cents a share in its fiscal first quarter ended Nov. 30 of last year. That compares to a year-ago loss of $67 million or 8 cents a share.Its unclear what Walgreens strategy will be going forward. On Thursday afternoon, Wentworth said the company is focused on making healthcare delivery more effective, convenient and affordable as we navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving pharmacy industry and an increasingly complex and competitive retail landscape.While we are making progress against our ambitious turnaround strategy, meaningful value creation will take time, focus and change that is better managed as a private company, Wentworth added. "Sycamore will provide us with the expertise and experience of a partner with a strong track record of successful retail turnarounds. The WBA Board considered all these factors in evaluating this transaction, and we believe this agreement provides shareholders premium cash value, with the ability to benefit from additional value creation going forward from monetization of the VillageMD businesses.

If you grew up walking on eggshells, you might be blending into relationships as a survival ... [+] instinct. Heres how to stop.gettyIn relationships, adaptability is often seen as a strengthbeing open to compromise, understanding your partners needs and adjusting when necessary. But what happens when you become so adaptable that you lose sight of yourself?Some people develop a pattern of blending into their relationships, shaping their personality, interests and even emotions to match their partners. This phenomenon, often referred to as chameleoning, is gaining attention as a dating trend, but its far more than that.At its core, chameleoning is a learned survival mechanism, often rooted in childhood experiences of unpredictability or emotional instability. For many, it starts in households where emotions could shift without warningwhere blending in meant avoiding conflict, rejection or criticism.But when this pattern follows you into adulthood, it can blur the line between connection and losing yourself. Here are three signs you might be blending in too much and what you can do to reclaim your sense of self.1. You Adopt Their Opinions And InterestsOne of the clearest signs of chameleoning is absorbing your partners likes, dislikes and opinions as your own. You might find yourself watching their favorite TV shows, even ones you dont enjoy, agreeing with political views you never considered before or picking up hobbies that never interested you in the past. Before you know it, you barely recognize the person you were before the relationship.A 2019 study published in Personal Relationships found that self-concept clarity (SCC) plays a crucial role in both individual well-being and relationship satisfaction. People with a strong sense of self tend to have healthier, more stable relationships, while those with low self-concept clarity are more prone to self-doubt, dependency and unconsciously molding their identity around their partner.If you constantly shift your preferences, values or identity to align with your partner, its not just compromiseits self-loss. Breaking free from chameleoning starts with small, intentional changes. Here are two steps you can take today:Spend time alonewithout distractions. Step away from social media and outside influences. Ask yourself: What do I actually enjoy? What opinions feel true to me? Write them down and notice if they differ from what you usually express around others.Practice small acts of self-expression. Share an honest opinion, even on something simple like a movie or restaurant. Wear something you like, even if its different from what your partner or friends would choose. Small steps build confidence in being yourself.The more you show up as your true self, the less youll feel the need to blend in. Its not about pushing people awayits about making space for the right connections.2. You Struggle To Set Boundaries Because It Feels UnsafeWhen youve spent years adapting to keep others happy, setting boundaries doesnt just feel uncomfortableit feels dangerous. If you were raised in an environment where expressing your own needs led to rejection, punishment or emotional withdrawal, you likely learned that disagreeing means losing connection.So, in relationships, you instinctively put others comfort above your ownagreeing to plans that exhaust you, letting hurtful comments slide and saying yes when you mean no. Not because you want to, but because part of you believes that standing your ground could cost you love.This lack of self-differentiationwhere your sense of identity is so entangled with others that asserting your own needs feels like a risk to the relationshipcreates a subservient dynamic where you adapt to fit into the relationship instead of showing up as an equal partner.You may struggle to identify your true needs, suppress emotions to avoid disapproval and feel trapped in a relationship where your role is to accommodate rather than to exist as yourself.Heres how to replace chameleoning with self-trustRewire your instinct to agree before automatically saying yes, pause. Ask yourself, Do I actually want this, or am I just avoiding discomfort? Give yourself permission to prioritize your own needseven if it feels foreign at first.Practice individuation through micro-decisions. Instead of defaulting to Whatever works for you, make small, independent choices daily. Whether its picking a restaurant, expressing an honest opinion or setting a tiny boundary, these moments train your brain to see self-expression as safe.Detach self-worth from approval. If saying no triggers anxiety or guilt, recognize that discomfort does not mean danger. Remind yourself that youre allowed to exist independently from what others you to be. The right people will respect that.Breaking free from chameleoning isnt about becoming rigid or unyieldingits about reclaiming your right to exist as a whole person, not just a reflection of those around you.3. You Fear Rejection And Constantly Seek ApprovalA study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that adolescents who experience social exclusion show heightened activity in brain regions associated with emotional pain. Those with higher rejection sensitivity exhibited greater distress responses, particularly in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (DACC)a brain region linked to processing social pain.While the study focuses on adolescents, these neural patterns often persist into adulthood. If early experiences of rejection made social approval feel essential for emotional security, you may unconsciously turn into a chameleon in relationships, adapting yourself to avoid exclusion or disapproval. Instead of asserting your own needs, you focus on keeping the connection intact at all costseven if it means losing yourself in the process.The more you mold yourself to fit someone elses expectations, the more you lose sight of who you really are. Heres how you can focus on building genuine connections.Recognize when youre approval-seeking. Pay attention to moments where you downplay your opinions or change your behavior out of fear of rejection. Ask yourself, Am I saying this because I believe it or because I think theyll like me more?Rebuild self-trust with micro-moments of authenticity. Start expressing your real thoughts in small, low-risk situations. Instead of agreeing out of habit, try saying, Actually, I see it differently. These micro-moments help rewire your brain to see disagreement as safe.Detach validation from self-worth. Remind yourself: Being liked is not the same as being loved. True connection comes from mutual respect and emotional honesty, not from constantly adapting to keep the peace.Chameleoning isnt just about adaptingits about survival. If youve spent years blending in to keep relationships stable, its understandable why stepping into your true self might feel uncomfortable, even risky. But the cost of constant adaptation is steeper than it seems.Breaking free doesnt happen overnight. It starts with small acts of self-trustexpressing an honest opinion, making independent choices and allowing yourself to exist without fear of rejection. The right people wont love you because you mold yourself to fit their world. Theyll love you because you stand firm on your own.If youve ever wondered whether your relationship supports your true self, this science-backed can give you the clarity you need: Relationship Satisfaction Scale

'Sorry We're Closed' is a real must-play indie experience for 2025.a la mode gamesWhen it landed on PC in October 2024, Sorry Were Closed completely passed me by. After finally catching up with it ahead of this months release on Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch, Ill never forget it even though the honor comes a year later than it should, its a real indie GOTY contender.Sorry Were Closed is one of the most unique titles of the last five years, and another example of British studio success one that follows in the footsteps of the oppositely named Thank Goodness Youre Here! with another eccentric and idiosyncratic (and sometimes very funny) experience. Its also among the best modern send-ups of survival horrors from the fifth and sixth console generations, without ever being anything but itself.Its surprising but understandable that something so brilliant yet quirky is a debut game for its studio, la mode games: indie duo Tom and C.B. Bennett, who met through Phantasy Star Online in 2006 before finally experimenting with game development during the pandemic, leading to this mindboggling escapade.From dream to nightmareSorry Were Closed begins as a story within a story a TV show called Dying Petals plays out high drama between lovers Epiphany Oxblood and Canary Rouge. You break away from the action to reveal that you, Michelle, are an unlucky-in-love convenience store worker. Whats more, one of the actors in Dying Petals is your ex-girlfriend. Womp womp.Dying Petals sets itself up as a sub-story to the broader tale, like Watchmens Tales of the Black Freighter, and thats just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Sorry Were Closeds bafflingly compelling narrative, which only gets weirder and more complex with every turn. Even your grimy London suburb feels unsettling, but then again, its plagued by spooky goings-on: disappearances, violence, and wayward theories (specifically from your friend Marty) that theres a demonic element to it all.Of course, this proves to be absolutely the case when, in your sleep, youre visited by a weird, gangly, sexualized, and horrific-looking neon creature. Shes an obsessive stalker and wants unending love. From you.NOPEa la mode gamesLuckily, your friend Robyn, who you never knew until now was a demon, has committed to saving you from her inevitable grasp and near-certain death. What first seems like a fever dream suddenly turns into a very real nightmare thats a cross between Killer7, Silent Hill, and Eternal Darkness, if it was produced by David Lynch.So begins your three-night tale in which you have to escape from her clutches, but also explore relationships with other key players: angels, demons, and regular folk, navigating themes of love, greed, fixation, heartbreak, and self-loathing. Each character has their own goal, shaping the story to one of four distinct endings, and its up to you to make what you believe to be the right decisions not an easy task, considering the rapid normalization of horror fantasy taking place around you.Using your minds eyeThere are two levels you deal through: normal reality, and the strange one granted by your third eye, which is given to you by The Duchess. This is the common addition your doting demon gives to all of her potential love interests, and by clicking your fingers, you can see another world in a small radius around you.Using your Third Eye is a blast from the past.a la mode gamesIt works in a lot of weird and wonderful ways. For exploration, it shows you a glimpse of the past, when things were nicer a reverse take on Silent Hills Otherworld but also allows you to navigate past blockages or access interactive elements from the other side, like a simpler version of Effect and Cause from Titanfall 2.Then theres the social element, in which using it reveals hidden demons, or shows you the real personas of apparent humans around you. A particularly wonderful use of this is with Cerberus, a trio of heavies, who act like regular tough guys in their usual form but are revealed to be humanoid dogs in your demon vision, with different (canine-centric) dialog to boot.Still, the Third Eye is central to the games incredibly inventive combat system, which subverts the limitations of old-school survival horror with a modern twist.Third-person adventure, first-person shooterFor the most part, exploration takes place through classic fixed cameras or the occasional hovering view, which tracks you down, say, a long corridor. However, your Third Eye view allows you to look at absolutely anything from first-person perspective the only caveat being that you cant move as you do so.Sorry Were Closed combines this with aplomb with its combat system. You start with an ax, before later getting a pistol and shotgun. As enemies slowly advance, you can switch to first-person mode.The heart-shooting combat mechanic is tricky at first, but a really unique idea.a la mode gamesYou can just shoot them until they die wasteful and less harming, but sometimes necessary in a pinch or use your Third Eye to temporarily stun your foe and unveil glowing hearts inside them. Shooting these does maximum damage, like the Infrared Scope used to kill Regenerators in Resi 4. The tougher the enemy, the more you need to shoot, and in succession.Often, its about reading the room before planning your line of attack. You even get a superpower relatively early on which can be a real boon in a pinch. The whole combat element takes some getting used to, but once it clicks, it feels incredibly satisfying.The gift of sound and visionSorry Were Closed is a beautiful game that manages to squeeze everything out of its low-poly aesthetic, simultaneously making enemy designs, Otherworld landscapes, and focal cutscenes both unsettling and mesmerizing. The art direction evolves at a rapid pace, meaning each new day brings a whole different experience.I'd be lying if I said this meat grinder/lift combo is as weird as it gets.a la mode gamesThis is coupled with a superb array of sound effects. The characters are non-verbal, but their dialog is accompanied with just the right amount of emotion from gasps, grumbles, and giggles to set the mood. Demons have extra depth from noises that range between tortured and mournful. The developers even sourced the perfect atmospheric noises, including the likes of London Underground trains, which add way more atmosphere than youd expect. Then there are the goofier SFX you dont expect but love to hear my personal fave being the pistols reload noise, which combines a cash register bell and a growling dog.Finally, the soundtrack is perfectly balanced a mixture of tried-and-tested lo-fi mood music, choral, dramatic classical tunes, carefully executed pockets of silence, and boss battles underpinned by Okumura, a stupidly talented game-loving hip-hop band with a love of gaming (who also performed on the equally barmy No More Heroes 3).Thankfully, were openThere are a couple of things that Sorry Were Closed fumbles. Many people wont like the combat, and a couple of the boss fights are a little clunky. These gameplay issues feel planned by the developer as a feature rather than a bug as a send-up to the past but some sections can rely on lightning-quick reflexes, or a bit of luck.Sorry Were Closed also has a narrative pacing problem that affects certain sections and characters, meaning you struggle to make connections with people or feel the need to help them, simply because you dont know why you should (or, occasionally, who they are). Chamuel, Clarissa, and Lucy, in particular, are remarkably difficult to read.Maybe I... will?a la mode gamesStill, thats where a la mode games plays a blinder. Once everythings said and done my first playthrough came in at just over six hours youre offered a New Game + mode, carrying over your purchases, discoveries, and upgrades. By this point, youve already totaled up the number of missed opportunities and forgotten corners to explore, as well as collectibles, bugs to squish, and a good handful of the 60+ achievements still left on offer. Having digested the madness that came before, youll be raring to go for another playthrough and explore these routes, knowing what you know.That said, theres a good chance you still wont know what the hell happened. Sorry Were Closed will be interpreted by fans for weeks and months after they finish it, however many times they complete it. At least theres one constant: the world has a new icon of thirst with The Duchess, a femme fatale even more alluringly deadly than Resident Evil Villages Lady Alcina Dimitrescu.

Forterra demonstrated a fast trailer-connect apparatus for their AutoDrive autonomous yard truck ... [+] product at Manifest.ForterraLast months Manifest conference in Las Vegas aimed at bringing together a spectrum of global supply chain executives, logistics service providers, innovators, and investors at the forefront of logistics tech. This fourth iteration of the conference attracted over 6,000 attendees from around the world.Automation for every imaginable human task in logistics was represented, both indoor and outdoor. Among 100 or so exhibitors, there were three focused on autonomous trucks: Forterra, Bot Auto, and Torc Robotics . Other companies in the AV trucking space sent delegates, including Fernride, HubPilot, ISEE, Plus, Outrider, Stack, and Waabi.The first Manifest in 2022 saw intense interest from virtually every truck autonomy player, with the back of the exhibit hall showing a long line of prototype robo-trucks. Several of the companies have left the autonomy space by acquisition, re-focusing, and/or, in some cases, bankruptcy. TuSimple and Embark are no longer in the mix, while Einride is focusing on both EV trucking and autonomy. Between then and now, the number of AV companies in the exhibit hall has gradually reduced, even while the promise of launching autonomous operations comes more into focus. This is not surprising. As an Automated Driving System developer moves closer to launch, there is less need to seek attention because the company is already getting lots of attention from their deployment plans or in the case of Kodiak their first launch of commercial driverless operations in an off-road environment.Of the dozens of sessions at Manifest, two panels focused directly on truck autonomy. The speakers, longtime leaders in their fields, provided intriguing viewpoints on how autonomy fits into the on-road aspects of supply chain operations.The first panel, titled Autonomous Trucking: On the Cusp of Commercial Driverless Operations, was moderated by myself and consisted of Peter Schmidt, CEO Torc Robotics; Josh Araujo, CEO, Forterra; Paul Enos, CEO, Nevada Trucking Association; and Dustin Koehl, COO, Covenant Logistics.The second panel, titled Accelerating Autonomous Solutions, was moderated by Lee White of LM White Consulting and consisted of Bob Hall, COO Outrider; Xiaodi Hou, CEO and Founder BotAuto; and Hendrik Kramer, CEO and Co-Founder Fernride.The ADS developers represented in these panels covered both over-the-road trucking and yard truck operations. More than a few of the comments were quite striking and insightful. Ive amalgamated the key perspectives in the following sections.Autonomous Over the Road TruckingBotAuto is the newest player in the ADS trucking scene, coming out of stealth last year. Mr. Hou offered a fresh perspective on what this space is all about, saying We are not a tech company, we are a trucking company. What matters is cost per mile. AV players must deliver capacity. Compared to the early ADS developers, he projected a fast deployment cycle, saying BotAuto will launch driverless operations on the roads in Texas later this year. He emphasized that the development of a self-driving machine is much faster than in the past, because a foundation AI model can quickly learn how to take care of most of the driving. For BotAuto, using one AI model, in one or two months we got a pretty amazing model. That said, he cautioned that I am a big antagonist about end-to-end AI. You should not rely on the neural nets for rules of the road and Newtonian physics; these need to be added separately as another layer.Regarding AI, whats different before and after ChatGPT? A new way has emerged. You dont need millions of miles to develop the self-driving capability, he said.Mr. Hou elaborated further on his approach. Once you do safety, what about efficiency of computing? We can use inefficent but safe solutions for simpler situations, making sure we dont compromise safety. We transform all safety problems into efficiency headaches. Were growing our efficiency step by step. When our efficiency goes beyond human capability, thats a good product.While BotAuto is in the early stages of bringing a product to market, Torc Robotics is at an advanced stage. In just two years from now, the company plans to enter the market via their OEM partner Daimler Trucks. I am super excited about the next three years. Its really all about software testing and operations to deliver a commercially ready autonomous platform, said CEO Peter Schmidt. Now, it's really about building a product and building a real business, which is safe and which can scale.An audience member asked the question that is probably on the minds of a significant portion of any audience that I and these panelists ever addressed: How can we trust autonomous vehicles to perform safely when our laptops, phones, and other tech are frequently having glitches? Mr. Schmidts response was one of the most robust Ive ever heard, emphasizing the need for AVs to have extensive redundancy. I can lose 50% of my entire sensor suite and it still can drive. Its the same with compute, he said. So even if a compute function goes off, your brain is there, you still have 50% of computing power. And that's a lot of redundancy in all systems, not only braking and steering. You need redundancy in your sensor suite, your algorithms, and your compute and that's driving cost. These concerns are valid. You need to design it into your architecture early on; if you try later on, thats tough.Autonomous Yard Tractors in Distribution Yards and PortsOver the years, Manifest delegates have witnessed a procession of autonomous yard truck developers showing capability not only in driving but also in efficiently connecting / disconnecting trailer hoses to and from the tractor. These connections are essential in pulling a trailer in a logistics yard.This space has matured significantly over the last couple of years and limited scale autonomous yard operations have been launched.At this years Manifest exhibit space, Forterra displayed a Kalmar Ottawa T2 Terminal Tractor equipped with Forterras AutoDrive autonomous driving system. AutoDrive is currently deployed on more than a dozen vehicle platforms across industrial and defense verticals. The vehicle was connected to a trailer mockup, enabling Forterra to demonstrate end to end auto-coupling with technology partners Electrans and Stoughton.Customers demand that the trailer-connect operation take no more time than a human does in doing the same job. The auto-coupling tech performed the task in a flash, to my eyes faster than even a seasoned truck driver could do. Check out a video of this operation here.In the panel discussion, Forterras CEO Josh Araujo explained their multi-faceted approach to ground autonomy. We are deploying autonomous systems for military applications, both combat and logistics environments. And then were also working in industrial applications, ports, and distribution centers. So we're looking at use cases that are off highway, off road, in ruggedized environments, adapting military solutions to similar industrial applications that can benefit from the technology.I asked Mr. Araujo to further explain advantages of the combined military-commercial focus. Theres some definite benefits to operating in both environments. There are mutual synergies in the data, the experience in the field, and running edge cases in the military that you're definitely going to see on the commercial side and vice versa, he said. From the military side, you typically don't have the type of competitive pressure in defense acquisitions that you do in the commercial market. The size of the commercial market results in cost-efficient approaches, therefore providing much lower cost and higher capability systems to war fighters.How does this impact supply chain more broadly? When it comes to supply chain factors, we look at really unlocking that value of supply chain visibility and planning. Having full end to end connected distributed systems that are autonomy-enabled is really how you do it, he said. Thats where we're focused: inside that dock, inside that warehouse, and inside of the distribution center, providing that connection between the on-road leg of the haul to getting that trailer to the correct dock or moving it from the dock to the manufacturing plant or moving it from the ship side over to the stack side of the containers.Founded in 2018, Outrider was one of the first players in yard truck autonomy. Mr. Hall said the company aims to accelerate deployment by putting little mental load on companies. This means, from the beginning, minimize changes for a customer to adopt autonomy. He continued, noting that the most important thing in logistics is throughput. The logistics yard is like a heartbeat, pumping freight out the way the heart pushes blood. We want to implement automated vehicles piece by piece, not as a single heavy lift. Our trucks can be introduced one by one, working side by side with human operated trucks. Over time, the number of AV trucks can increase. A big capital investment all at once is not required.In response to a question about the impacts of AI, Mr. Hall described Outriders journey. Based on years and years of pilot deployments in large facilities, Outrider has accumulated millions of hours of data. Now we seed this into propriety reinforcement learning models. The rate of improvement and learning has been amazing. Over the past year, we overhauled the Outrider stack to incorporate AI models. This has allowed us to speed up the process of learning to adapt to new environments on the east coast and in northern environments.Later, as the panel discussed safety aspects of autonomy, Mr. Hall noted that in North America there are no safety standards for yard operations. We pulled from existing standards to create our own safety case for yards. But to the customer, what is prove-able safety in the yard? Its reliable and boring industrial operations. Just like you don't sit and watch your dishwasher or toaster operate, you want to turn it on and let it do its thing. You want to have proven that its safe, even when youre not looking, he replied.Based in Munich, Fernride is the only automated yard truck developer addressing the European market. The companys initial product deployments have utilized tele-operation of yard trucks. Autonomy is on the horizon. How are they using the new AI tools? Mr. Kramer noted that human-assisted autonomy can co-exist with full autonomy. As much as AI is needed, 95% of operations can be done autonomously, with maybe five percent requiring teleoperation. Having both options provides maximum reliability and flexibility in the business case, he said.He framed Fernrides near-term priorities as follows: The focus now is proving the safety case, i.e. verified and validated, to obtain the compliance with the European regulations in 2025. The focus in the next few years shifts from technology to operations. Its not only about day one problems, but how are systems maintained and serviced for the long run. The key is to create value for customers.Voice of the End User Not surprisingly, the tech developers had plenty to say. How does all this activity add up when viewed through the eyes of end users, i.e. trucking fleets?Dustin Koehl provided a long view based on his many years interacting with the autonomous truck developers. No longer is automated trucking just a science experiment, the developers are getting closer to commercialization, he said. Covenant Logistics operates 2,500 trucks providing expedited freight services. For their operations, I asked Mr. Koehl what does it mean for a fleet to deploy autonomous? Nothing changes? Everything changes?A lot changes, he said. I spent almost two years working with a developer, where I gained a perspective of the investments that are being made on that side. And based on 18 years in the fleet world, I bring the fleet perspective. Mr. Koehl framed the space in this way: Theres two business models in play here. So you have the driver as a service model, in which the autonomy developer delivers the truck to the fleet and says, Here you go, well support you as needed. But then also you have the transportation as a service model. With TaaS, a traditional fleet outsources freight to an ADS developer who is fully responsible for delivering the load.He bottom-lined this by saying, Covenant hauls anything from live haul to eggs to bombs and ammunition; because of this theres just always going to be a need for a truck driver there. While we stay close to autonomy developments, weve seen LTL and freight forwarders, even drayage fleets, getting ready for this, spending significant money to optimize their networks for the autonomous future. We stay close to it because of the unit economics of autonomous operations. If you can get 16 to 18 hours of utility on an autonomous truck, we have a responsibility to really understand the benefits of that, not just for us, but for our customers too.For Paul Enos of the Nevada Trucking Association, the most compelling thing about autonomous trucks is stopping accidents. He painted a vivid picture of the crushing liability burdens that on-road freight carriers face. This is exacerbated by aggressive plaintiff attorneys, even in cases where the truckers rig wasnt at fault. Liability is always first and foremost in my brain, said Mr. Enos. How do you insure these things? Who is the company that is responsible for an accident that occurs with an autonomous truck? When we passed our regulations allowing autonomous trucks in Nevada, trial lawyers called for a $25M minimum insurance policy on autonomous trucks. So, I think all of this needs to be worked out.Building on Mr. Enoss comments, Mr. Koehl pointed out what still needs to happen. Quite frankly, in spite of the nuclear verdicts and the risk, some of the insurance companies dont really have products formalized for autonomous trucking yet. We know that fleets are not going to take this risk and liability on their own.Labor ViewpointsEven though the rise of software, expert systems, and the like have been making a wide range of jobs obsolete for decades, when it comes to autonomous trucking the outcry about the fate of truck drivers has been at a fever pitch. A range of viewpoints across both panels painted an intriguing picture.Mr. Enos spoke to the trucking world of today. One of the biggest issues that our member companies have is hiring qualified drivers. They say, Hey, we're putting these guys out on the road with an 80,000 pound missile. This kind of stuff keeps the CEO, the safety director, anybody whose head is on the line, it keeps 'em awake at night. So I think having these driver assisted technologies that are available now are going to provide that safety cushion that makes it better for our industry, that makes it better for the drivers, even enhancing training.The key question he raised was, How do we make sure that the folks that are coming into our industry, that we do need in our industry today, are not looking at the technology necessarily as a replacement for drivers in every application, but as that safety cushion that is going to enhance everybodys experience on road.Mr. Koelh noted that youve got this trillion dollar marketplace of truckers which is very segmented, and that's not going away. As challenging as the truck driver job is, autonomy is not going to eliminate a lot of jobs. I was responsible for a budget of $50M a year to attract truck drivers to come work for our fleet. Its not a glamorous job. These drivers sacrifice a lot, its one of the most challenging jobs in America.Mr. Araujo provided an interesting contrast between truck driving in the military versus the civilian sector. On the commercial side for autonomy, the pushback is around unions and labor issues. The military is going to experience this exact same thing. Theyre going to recruit, and they already started to recruit fewer truck drivers. But they have this current workforce. What the military has right now is an organic captive vocational training system that's probably second to none, where they can take an entire workforce of drivers and retrain them in technical skill sets that can either support autonomy or do different value-added things on the battlefield. So, instead of having somebody behind the wheel of a truck, you have somebody that's maintaining that autonomous system or a mechanic or command and controlling fleets of vehicles. And so that's something I think the commercial markets can look at and say, I have this amazing workforce that I can now retrain to do different tasks as they adopt their operations around autonomy.From the Outrider perspective, Mr. Hall sees humans and robots working side by side. This is how AV gets deployed: enabling human teams. It is hard to find people who are willing to do these jobs. Our Forture 100 customers find it harder and harder to recruit and retain drivers.And from the European perspective, Mr. Kramer described their ongoing operations. We successfully operate in unionized environments in Europe. Unions in ports are friendly toward automated vehicles, because they cant keep up operations due to lack of workers. They need AVs as fast as possible. Weve been successful proving to customers the autonomous tech works; theyre ready to roll out the solutions.This is happening.Its clear from the discussions at Manifest that the coming years promise to be significant inflection points for commercial operations of autonomous trucks.In contrast to discussions at Manifest in earlier years, there was not a single mention from these well-informed experts regarding whether the technology is ready. Instead, the clear vibe was This is happening and Were on the home stretch for commercial operations of autonomous trucks. And for shippers, as Lee White put it, Its coming and youre gonna be impacted.Disclosure: Richard Bishop is an Advisor to and/or equity holder with the following companies mentioned in this article: Forterra, Plus, Outrider.

AI is business more than technologygettyTheres good news when it comes to peoples experiences with generative AI - it delivers deep insights and content as promised. The challenge is now expanding on linited use cases to benefitting full-fledged enterprise activities. And, as with all things, organizational challenges are far greater than technology challenges.Having expensive AI technology on hand, and dropping it into a slow-moving organization will not deliver overnight miracles anymore than handing someone an expensive movie camera will turn them into the next Steven Spielberg. It takes people willing and free to learn and experiment to develop an AI-savvy enterprise.More than 80% of business leaders say generative AI has exceeded their initial expectations, new research out of Accenture finds. However, scaling this success to something bigger is a challenge only 13% are seeing significant enterprise level-value," the study, involving 3,400 executives and Accentures 2,000-plus gen AI projects, finds.Seven out of ten (73%) gen AI investments focus on functional use cases that address common industry needs, such as enhancing IT, customer service and marketing.Among those organizations that have been scaling AI to enterprise levels, theres an emphasis on forward-looking technology investments, the Accenture studys authors suggest. Enterprise AI leaders are six-times more likely to significantly increase their gen AI investments in 2025 to drive operational efficiency, automation, and optimized decision-making, and are three-times more likely to have a comprehensive data strategy to support their genAI efforts.In addition, enterprise AI leaders are looking at agentic AI, the next evolution of generative AI, and are five times more likely to have invested in an agentic architecture. "Agentic architecture will enter the mainstream in 2025, with three times as many organizations planning to invest in these capabilities compared to 2024," the report predicts.At the same time, the study cites a need to shift workforces from static job roles to dynamic, skills-based strategies. At this point, only 35% of executives report having a roadmap for how genAI will reshape their workforce coupled with the rapid pace of technological change that reduced the half-life of skills to less than five years.The Accenture team makes the following recommendations to see more benefits from their AI efforts:Employ AI to help people prepare for AI. AI-driven, personalized learning is helping close skills gaps, delivering tailored development that empowers employees to thrive in AI-augmented environments, the studys authors state. Overall, they add, leading AI organizations "are aligning talent strategies with the reinvention of workadopting skills-based workforce management, recruiting for potential and investing in broad-based AI upskilling."Get the leadership on board. CEO sponsorship is criticalcompanies with executive buy-in achieve at least three-times higher ROI, the Accenture authors point out. A way to build support is through targeted executive education. "Leaders at organizations achieving enterprise-level value are six-times more likely to deeply understand genAI. Tailored programs bridge knowledge gaps, build confidence and accelerate scaling."Establish clear and traceable targets. Set measurable targets for 360 value financial and non-financial outcomes that impact the P&L or balance sheet.Hack workflows and cut the silos. "Use genAI to reinvent entire domains, processes and journeys rather than launching narrow use cases. GenAI can hack workflows by analyzing data to reduce inefficiencies, minimize manual steps and uncover opportunities missed due to biases or siloed thinking."Recognize its data that makes the difference in AI. Everyone with a budget can acquire the latest and greatest AI tools. But it takes expertise and experience to build a data environment to fuel AI insights. Proprietary data sources, refined and tailored into core data products, are critical for achieving breakthrough insights and long-term differentiation, the Accenture team states.Ultimately, successful AI means change is on the near horizon for jobs and organizations themselves. AIs value will come out in redefining jobs and rewiring organizations to support fundamentally different processes and ways of working, the Accenture team states. This includes addressing bigger questions on organization design such as resetting and lowering boundaries, leveraging new multi-agent capabilities and supporting dynamic skills all of which are critical to creating value from AI."

BELLE CHASSE, LA - JUNE 4: Barges loaded with coal are seen in front of the ConocoPhillips Alliance ... [+] Refinery June 4, 2008 in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. The refinery, located in Plaquemines Parish, processes 247,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Oil production suffered significant damage in the state by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita but high oil prices have driven the value of Louisiana's petroleum and coal exports up 127 percent. Petroleum and coal exports totaled $2.5 billion during the first quarter of 2008 compared to $1.1 billion in the first quarter of 2007. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Getty ImagesUrged on by faculty, students, and staff, the Cornell University Board of Trustees voted to halt new fossil fuel investments in 2022, after taking a serious look at the risk climate change posed to Cornells $6.9 billion endowment. Just a year earlier, environmentalists had launched their own inquiry into the retirement fund behemoth TIAA, which manages $1.3 trillion in assets, including $78 billion in fossil fuels.1 Shocked by what they found, the environmentalists launched TIAA-Divest, making the moral argument against investing in fossil fuels given their destructive impact on our planet. TIAA pushed back, citing fiduciary duties. Not giving up, TIAA-Divest launched an inquiry into the meaning of fiduciary duties for a retirement fund in todays changed climate.MANHATTAN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2024/09/24: Participant seen holding a sign at the protest. As ... [+] part of the Climate Week actions, climate activists with TIAA-Divest held a rally outside pension fund investor TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association) Headquarters in Manhattan, demanding the company to divest their current $78 billion invested in fossil fuels. (Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)LightRocket via Getty ImagesTIAAs fiduciary duties and fossil fuelsAccording to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, a fiduciary shall discharge their duties solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailingHow should a prudent asset manager approach fossil fuel investments in an era of rapidly accelerating climate change? ClientEarth attorney Ben Segal captures their dilemma:"Fiduciary duties are real but fiduciary duties are not a suicide pact.TIAA holds investments for its participantspredominantly university professors like myselfand pays out our investments when we retire. TIAA has a fiduciary responsibility to manage those investments to generate the highest income for its participants. So, lets say TIAA decides to rid itself of its fossil fuel holdings. The risk is that if the new investments produce lower earnings than its current fossil fuel holdings, its participants will be unhappy, and may even sue.But what if fossil fuel investments, which have been dragging for a decade, are headed toward disaster? Retirement funds are responsible for both the short- and the long-term. I am a near-retirement TIAA participant. I have a particular interest in my retirement funds not crashing over the next 20 years to the point where I am not able to recover their value during my lifetime. Young investors are concerned about the profitability of their investments over the next 50 or more years. Can we count on fossil fuel investments being profitable over the near-term, let alone 50 years?DENVER, CO - JUNE 13, 2015: The TIAA-CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association - College ... [+] Retirement Equities Fund) building in downtown Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images)Getty ImagesWith the global average temperature having crossed the 1.5C threshold, extreme floods and fires are razing homes and businesses, leading insurance companies to withdraw from risky markets. And yet, fund managers continue to invest in the very products that are driving these catastrophes. Why? University College London economist Steve Keen points out that economists lack knowledge of the science of global warming. For example, in refereed articles, economists have claimed that if the planet warms to 6C above pre-industrial temperatures, the global GDP will shrink by less than 10%, and investment consultants have advised pension funds that global warming of 2-4.3C will have only a minimal impact on their portfolios. In contrast, scientists predict that even 1C of warmingwhich we have already passedcould trigger dangerous climate tipping points and any rise over 5C will result in damages beyond catastrophic, including existential threatsthat is, the end of humanity as we know it.Before retirement portfolio managers can prudently fulfill their fiduciary duties, they need accurate information about the prevailing risks posed by a climate change future. Yet, no one with climate science expertise sits on TIAA's Board of Directors.What are the climate risks confronting prudent fiduciaries?The risks that climate change poses to retirement incomes are not distant and small, but immediate and potentially wealth-destroying. According to the Center for International Environmental Law, those risks encompass:Physical impactSea level rise, unprecedented floods, and raging fires are some of the physical effects of climate change. In the U.S., fossil fuel refining and export infrastructure is concentrated along the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast, creating significant risk of disruptions to oil and gas markets. In 2020, Hurricane Laura shuttered Cameron LNG in Louisiana for over a month. And after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston and Port Arthur in 2017, US retail gasoline prices rose by 13% in a matter of weeks.BLACK HAWK, LA - MAY 18: Flooded oil derricks are seen on May 18, 2011 in Black Hawk, Louisiana. ... [+] The oil industry is closely monitoring the flooding amid concerns that oil refineries in the region could be impacted by floodwaters. Heavy rains have left the ground saturated, rivers swollen, and have caused widespread flooding in Louisiana. Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Getty ImagesStranded assetsAs societies confront the real costs of climate change, they are moving away from fossil fuels, resulting in billions of dollars in stranded assets. For example, TIAA is the worlds 4th largest holder of coal bonds, even as the three coal plants it owns are shuttered. The World Economic Forum estimates that the world would realize a net gain of $85 trillion from phasing out coal power, or 1.3% of current world GDP per annum leading to 2100.HOMER CITY, UNITED STATES - JUNE 12: With the shuttered Homer City Power Plant in the background, ... [+] at the Lucerne Reclamation project site in Center Township, PA, a worker moves coal refuse to be prepared for transport to be cleaned on June 12, 2024. The soil, contaminated by coal refuse, is cleaned and returned to the land where it is encased and covered with top soil and planted as a meadow. Ever since the Homer City power plant closed in June 2023, the town has been looking into an uncertain future with the loss of jobs and the largest contribution to their tax base. (Photo by Scott Lewis for The Washington Post via Getty Images)The Washington Post via Getty ImagesEnergy transitionThe transition to a low-carbon, renewable energy economy is here--and its happening a lot faster than forecast. The International Energy Agency predicts that renewables will overtake coal as the leading source of electricity this year, and that fossil fuel demand will peak by 2030. Further, solar investment in India and the U.S. is expected to reach nearly $25 billion over 2022-2027, a sevenfold increase over the previous five years. The 85% acceleration in expansion of renewables from 2022-27 is nearly 30% higher than forecast.LitigationAccording to the Center for Biological Diversity, by December 2024, eleven attorneys general and dozens of municipal and Tribal governments had filed lawsuits against oil and gas companies for deceiving the public about fossil fuels role in climate change. In responding to litigation brought by the city of Honolulu, the U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal from fossil fuel companies to block lawsuits holding them responsible for billions of dollars of damages due to climate change. The Town of Carrboro NC has alleged that Duke Energy deceived the public about the transition away from fossil fuels and should be held responsible for the costs to rebuild after Hurricane Helene. And Oregons Multnomah County sued fossil fuel corporations for their role in the areas fatal 2021 heat dome.The Center for International Environmental Law summarizes the physical, asset stranding, energy transition, and litigation risks for the oil and gas industry:Fossil fuel companies that have rigs and rely on extensive infrastructure face physical impact risks; the effort to reduce carbon emissions may strand significant fossil fuel assets;changing demand for carbon-intensive fuels, the emergence of new technologies, and evolving regulations will subject fossil fuel companies to transition risk; and the impacts of climate change on property and human populations may present significant litigation risk.Port Arthur,TX, September 17,2008 Debris lines the side of a road near an oil refinery in Port ... [+] Arthur,TX left in the wake of Hurricane IKE.Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMAWhat fiduciary duties are triggered by climate risk?Given known climate risks, prudent fiduciaries have duties to evaluate investment risks, monitor portfolios on a continuing basis, and act in accordance with updated plans. They must act solely in the interests of fund beneficiaries, including protecting them from misleading information, diversifying holdings to minimize risk, and acting impartially so as to not jeopardize long-term viability of investments to maximize short-term gains. According to the Center for International Environmental Law,All of these duties are triggered by the reality of climate change and how it will impact our financial markets, our society, and our global economy. Actively engaging with these financial challenges and opportunities can shield a fund from unnecessary risk and loss while allowing it to achieve prudent, safe growth. A failure to acknowledge and act to address these risks may lead to financial loss, litigation, and liability.To understand how fiduciaries balance their duties in light of climate risk, I reached out to Greg King, Chair of the Denver Deferred Compensation Retirement Board (who is also my son-in-law). He explained:Because climate has become a culture war issue, fiduciaries are backed into a corner. If they divest from fossil fuels, they could be sued by participants who think that their investments have underperformed, and if they dont divest, they could be sued by participants who see fossil fuels as posing an existential threat to humanity.Mr. King feels that a lot of the responsibility for addressing the climate crisis rests with the organizations hiring TIAA or another firm to manage their funds. For example, the City of Denver established a Retirement Board, which holds meetings six times per year, where participants are able to speak about emerging trends such as the climate emergency. Similar opportunities for input are not available to TIAAs university participants. Further, whereas universities allow TIAA to market its own funds, Denvers retirement fund provider is not allowed to offer its branded funds to participants. This opens up their offerings to a large and diverse group of funds, including ESG and fossil fuel-free options. Mr. King envisions that in the future, universities might pressure retirement fund companies to be more transparent in their reporting, and even lobby the federal government to standardize ESG criteria so all funds follow the same rules.DENVER - NOVEMBER 15: Downtown Denver skyline, photographed from the Jacquard Hotel rooftop in ... [+] Denver, Colorado on November 15, 2018. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)Getty ImagesTIAA is addressing climate risks, but TIAA-Divest says progress is shamefully slowTIAA-Divest has made ten demands of TIAA and its subsidiary Nuveen. One demand is that the retirement company divest from all direct fossil fuel investments immediately and lay out a clear, rapid path to moving its funds away from all coal, oil, and gas. Another demand is transparency. Although TIAA says that it aligns its portfolio with a 1.5oC pathway, it does not disclose its portfolio-wide emissions. The complainants argue that TIAA actively misleads its participants by offering so-called ESG and social responsibility funds that are awash in fossil fuels. In a meeting with TIAA ESG and engagement leaders, TIAA-Divest complainants felt stymied in their attempts to learn more about the companys ESG commitments.I experienced this lack of transparency when I reached out to TIAA head of Responsible Investing, Amy OBrien, with a list of questions to help clarify their response to the claims brought by TIAA-Divest. Rather than responding to the charges, a TIAA spokesperson asked me to state the following in my article:Our purpose is investing for future generations to thrive. Rather than divest from major sectors of the economy, we seek to manage climate risk across a diversified portfolio. We believe this makes us better investors and stewards on behalf of our clients.We are fully committed to ensuring our clients have clear publicly available information on how we manage climate risks and opportunities for their investments. We continue to enhance transparency on this topic to align with the evolving needs of our participants and the world around us.We consider a wide range of stakeholder perspectives as we constantly evaluate how we can better serve our clients long-term financial interests in a responsible way.Frustrated by the vague language in the TIAA response, I reached out to TIAA investment management arm Nuveen, but received no response.TIAA did share its 2024 climate report with the unfortunate title of Staying the Course. According to the report, TIAA asked 100 portfolio companies that comprise most of our public markets financed emissions to disclose material climate-related information and to establish industry-leading strategies to manage climate risks. As the energy transition matures, so will our assessment of company progressshifting from standard disclosure to robust planning to implementation. An example of company engagement comes from Chevron, where TIAA advocated for the fossil fuel giant to participate in the United Nations (sic) Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 and continuously engaged Chevron on its methane abatement strategies. (Yet Chevron continues to bet on a fossil fueled future.) TIAA plans to transition from asking its companies for transparency to accountability to impact over the next 25 years, reaching net zero emissions in its General Accounts by 2050. For TIAA-Divest and the planet, this is too little too late.MANHATTAN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2024/09/24: Participant seen holding a sign at the protest. As ... [+] part of the Climate Week actions, climate activists with TIAA-Divest held a rally outside pension fund investor TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association) Headquarters in Manhattan, demanding the company to divest their current $78 billion invested in fossil fuels. (Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)LightRocket via Getty ImagesTo date, eleven universities have passed resolutions asking TIAA to divest from fossil fuels, and in 2024, the American Association of University Professors adopted a resolution urging universities and retirement funds, including TIAA, to divest from fossil fuels.This spring, TIAA-Divest is implementing its seven university strategy, using TIAAs biggest university clients combined leverage of $20 billion in TIAA investments to pressure the retirement company to take faster and more comprehensive action, appropriate to their fiducial duties and the risks posed by climate change.According to Caroline Levine, a national TIAA-Divest leader and professor of English at Cornell University (my employer), she and her colleagues realize that TIAA may not meet all their demands. They would be thrilled to see a climate scientist on the TIAA Board of Directors, and they expect TIAA to offer participants more choices in investing in fossil-free funds. (I tried to change my investments to fossil-free funds last year, and the TIAA advisor could only show me two such funds among hundreds to choose from.) TIAA-Divest would also like to see TIAA hold open meetings where participants can listen in and comment, as is common in other retirement funds.Professor Levine remains puzzled by lack of TIAA action. The urgency of fossil fuel divestment seems obvious as students increasingly share with professors their experiences of destructive floods, heat domes, and fires threatening their homes. Expressing her frustration, Levine shared As university teachers and researchers, we spend our lives committing to the wellbeing of students whose future is in our hands. At the same time, we are destroying these students futures with our investments.

Bloomberg Philanthropies has already invested a total of $104 million over the years via its ... [+] Initiative to Prevent Drowning to support such drowning prevention interventions in Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Uganda and Viet Nam as well as 10 states in the U.S. with higher numbers of drowning deaths: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma and Texas. (Photo: Courtesy of Bloomberg Philanthropies)Courtesy of Bloomberg PhilanthropiesHeres another episode of Things You Can Accomplish When You Actually Work Together To Use Science To Solve a Major Problem. The World Health Organization with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies published its first-ever report on drowning prevention that brought to the surface a major success story. As of last year, the rate of drowning deaths across the world has gone down by 38% since 2000. Although theres still more work to do as the average number of drownings per hour remains above 30, this drop didnt occur by accident so to speak. It happened after the WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies, different national governments and various local organizations got together to use that thing called science to help reduce drowning.The significant decline in drowning deaths since 2000 is great news and proof that the simple, practical interventions that WHO recommends work, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, the WHO Director-General, said in a statement. Still, every drowning death is one death too many, and millions of people remain at risk. This report contains crucial data for policy-making and recommendations for urgent action to save lives.Implementing Evidence-Based Interventions To Prevent Drowning DeathsBy simple, practical interventions, the WHO Director-General was referring to evidence-based interventions such as:Installing barriers to prevent child access to water: Because little kids by themselves and water dont often mix well. Ive described for Forbes previously how drowning has been the leading cause of deaths among young children.Providing of safe places away from water for pre-school children: The youth may not be always well served by water with nearly half of those dying from drowning being under 29 years of age and a quarter being less than five years of age.Teaching school-aged children basic swimming water safety and safe rescue skills: A Red Cross survey from a decade ago found that 61% of children didnt have basic swim safety skillsTraining people in rescue and resuscitation: Naturally, when someone is drowning, you dont everyone around to go, Umm, what do we do?Strengthening public awareness on drowning: Many people may not be aware of how much a risk drowning or the magnitude of the drowning problem, such as around 300,000 people dying by drowning in just one year, 2021.Setting and enforcing safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations: According to the American Boating Association, drowning has been the reporetd cause of death in 75% of fatal boating accidents in the U.S.Improving flood risk management: Floods bring water where its not supposed to be.Bloomberg Philanthropies has already invested a total of $104 million over the years via its Initiative to Prevent Drowning to support such drowning prevention interventions in Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Uganda and Viet Nam as well as 10 states in the U.S. with higher numbers of drowning deaths: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.Part of these efforts has been to raise more awareness of drowning, explained Becky Bavinger, who works on the public health team at Bloomberg Philanthropies. There is the misconception that drowning is not preventable an act of God.The Majority Of Downing Deaths Occur In Low and Middle Income CountriesWhile many of the best things in life may be free, that still doesnt necessarily always apply to safety, health and public health measures. The aforementioned interventions do require investment to implement before the benefits and potential savings can be realized. Thats why it shouldnt be surprising that people in lower resource settings have higher risks of drowning. In fact, nine out of every 10 drowning deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries. Plus, such countries are low and middle income often because they have the misfortune of being situated in less favorable and harsher environments. Torrential rains, flooding, turbulent water and other such conditions do make navigating in and around water more treacherous.It also isnt super surprising that progress in reducing drowning deaths has been uneven across the world. While the WHO European Region experienced a 68% drop in such deaths from 2000 to 2021, the WHO African Region saw only a 3% drop during the same time period. The WHO African Region continued to have the highest rate of any region at 5.6 deaths per 100 000 people.But the success stories of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative to Prevent Drowning to date suggest that many of the challenges that LMICs face can be overcome. For example, in Bangladesh, Bloomberg Philanthropies has helped support community childcare for over 50,000 children across the country. And in Viet Nam, since 2019, it has worked with the government to offer survival swimming classes to children. This has already helped over 28,000 children across 13 provinces pass a survival swimming course.The Lack Of Data And National Strategies On Drowning DeathsOne continuing problem with drowning prevention is the you-dont-know-what-you-dont-know problem. Many locations dont even know enough about the surrounding risk factors that they may have and the causes of past drownings. In fact, they may not even know how many drowning deaths have occurred. Theyve lacked data. And making decisions without proper data can amount to guessing.Bavinger emphasized that its not enough to simply know the number of drowning deaths and the approximate age and sex of the victims: Basic demographics are not the fully story. We often dont have know the underlying circumstances. Therefore, a major part of the Initiative to Prevent Drowning has been to increase and bolster data collection and analysis efforts.Another continuing problem has been the dearth of national strategies to prevent drowning. In the European Region, 45% of countries have some kind of national strategy or plan to prevent drowning. Thats not a great number but still higher than the 15% number for the African Region. It will be important to match up the policies with the burden," Said Bavinger. She went to say that the majority of countries have no policy of fencing around swimming pools and only a minority have have swimming and national swimming training as part of their curricula.Drowning continues to be a major public health issue, but progress is possible, particularly if governments work with strong partners at the local level, Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, and 108th mayor of New York City, said in a statement.Climate Change May Raise The Risk Of Drowning DeathsClimate change can lead to more extreme weather events, which in turn could lead to greater drowning ... [+] risk. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)Getty ImagesAlthough things seem to be going in the right direction, theres one big global thing thats going in the wrong direction: climate change. Climate change has been leading to all sorts of changes that may increase the risk of drowning. Climate change can lead to more extreme weather events, rain getting disrupted, flash flooding and other things, Bavinger explained.Bavinger went on to talk about the need to strengthen weather alerts and make sure that they are up-to-date. After all, the words torrential rains and lets go swimming dont typically go well together. Increasing public awareness of the weather will grow increasingly important with climate change, especially with More people turning to water for recreation, which is understandable but means increased risk, as Bavinger described. She mentioned how the migration of people around the world can change the risk situation as well.Another big concern is whats happening in Washington, DC, right now. Who knows what longterm negative impact the Trump Administrations plan to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO will have? The same applies to the dismantling of USAID and cuts in support for other government agencies that help facilitate international collaboration and work.Continuing Work To Prevent Drowning DeathsSo, while past work has helped bring the problem of drowning more to the surface and result in the aforementioned drops in the rates of drowning deaths, the world is certainly not out of the water yet. Things have been improving and getting there, said Bavinger. [Bloomberg Philanthropies] is committed through 2027, $60 million to work in high burden countries. Increased cooperation across the globe would help significantly. A United Nations General Assembly resolution in April 2021 did declare July 25 each year to be World Drowning Prevention Day to help further raise awareness of this problem and foster collaborative work. Any set of deaths that could have been prevented can end up having reverberating effects across many different people, sectors, communities and countries often in unexpected ways. Not realizing this and neglecting the value of global cooperation could leave everyone under water in more ways than one.

Cyber adversaries are evolving into enterprise-scale operations, leveraging AI, social engineering, ... [+] and identity-based attackscan defenders keep up?gettyCybercrime is no longer just about opportunistic hackers looking for a quick payday. The modern cyber adversary is highly structured, well-resourced, and increasingly operates like a business. From nation-state actors to financially motivated cybercriminals, threat groups are becoming more sophisticated, leveraging AI-driven automation, social engineering, and cloud exploitation to breach even the most well-defended organizations.The 2025 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report paints a stark picture: adversaries are faster, more efficient, and more business-like than ever before. Their tactics have evolved beyond traditional malware, shifting toward identity-based attacks, deepfake-driven social engineering, and rapid cloud exploitation.Security teams are now in a race to out-innovate attackers who are thinking and operating like enterprises themselves.Cybercrime as an Industry: The Business of HackingCybercriminals have streamlined their operations, creating a sophisticated underground economy. One of the fastest-growing trends is Access-as-a-Service, where initial access brokers specialize in infiltrating networks and then selling entry points to ransomware groups and other threat actors.Adam Meyers, CrowdStrikes head of counter adversary operations, explained during a recent media roundtable, One of the big things that kind of exploded in 2024 is the increase in social engineering, particularly using voice phishing. We saw a 442% increase in voice phishing. Adversaries are realizing that traditional technical attacks are getting harder, so theyre going after the weakest linkhumans.This shift away from malware is reshaping the cyber threat landscape. 79% of observed attacks were malware-free, relying on valid credentials, remote administration tools, and hands-on-keyboard attacks instead.Breakout timesthe speed at which attackers move laterally within a breached networkhit a record low of just 48 minutes, with the fastest breakout happening in only 51 seconds.Scott Crawford, Research Director of Information Security at 451 Research, part of S&P Global Market Intelligence, described this shift as part of a long-evolving cybercriminal ecosystem. Weve seen that evolution for many years now. The threat landscape has long matured into a well-developed ecosystem where information, tactics, and skills are traded with regularity, enabled by innovations like the development of cryptocurrencies that make attacks for tangible gain more practical for adversaries.The AI Arms Race: Cybercriminals Weaponizing Artificial IntelligenceAI isnt just revolutionizing business operationsits transforming cybercrime. Adversaries are using generative AI to craft hyper-convincing phishing emails, create deepfake videos, and even simulate real-time interactions in social engineering campaigns.Meyers highlighted the chilling effectiveness of AI-driven deception. AI-generated phishing emails have a 54% click-through rate, compared to just 12% for human-written emails. Deepfake technology is now being used for business email compromise, including a $25.6 million transfer scam last year using a deepfake video.At the same time, however, the rise of generative AI makes things like credible deception and phishing attacks more believable to targets, pointed out Crawford. Although it still has gaps such as defects in image manipulation that can still make some attempts detectable, sophistication is growing and can be expected to challenge defenders increasingly.Cybercriminals are also using AI-powered social engineering to infiltrate organizations at a deeper level. A North Korean-affiliated group, Famous Chollima, was caught creating fake LinkedIn profiles, using AI for job interview answers, and even deploying deepfake videos to land jobs within tech companiesgranting them insider access to corporate networks.Crawford emphasized, But defenders can leverage innovation, tooand we can expect to see this continue to shape the security technology landscape sooner rather than later.Chinas Cyber Expansion: A New Era of Nation-State AttacksWhile criminal enterprises are evolving, nation-state actors are scaling their operations with unprecedented efficiency. CrowdStrikes report reveals a 150% increase in China-nexus cyber activity, with some industriesincluding finance, manufacturing, and mediaexperiencing spikes of 200-300%.Meyers didnt mince words about the implications of this growth. After decades of investment, Chinas offensive cyber capabilities are now on par with other world powers. Theyve moved from smash-and-grab operations to persistent, stealthy intrusions that are highly specialized.Chinas new adversary groups are targeting specific industries, leveraging specialized techniques, and focusing on maintaining persistent access. For example, Vanguard Panda has been pre-positioning itself in critical infrastructure networks as part of what analysts believe is an effort to prepare for geopolitical conflicts, including potential tensions over Taiwan.Identity is the New Perimeter: The Death of Traditional SecurityOne of the most striking findings in the CrowdStrike report is the shift away from traditional malware toward identity-based attacks. Cybercriminals and nation-state actors alike are exploiting cloud services, stealing credentials, and bypassing endpoint security altogether.The cloud is no longer a safe havena 35% increase in cloud intrusions shows that attackers are specifically targeting cloud control planes and SaaS environments, where identity verification is often the weakest link. Access broker activity surged by 50%, further highlighting that stolen credentials are the new goldmine for cybercriminals.The Future of Cyber Defense: Can Enterprises Keep Up?With cybercriminals and nation-state actors adopting AI, cloud exploitation, and sophisticated social engineering, organizations must rethink their approach to security. Meyers laid out the key priorities for defenders:Identity security is paramount. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) alone isnt enoughorganizations need continuous identity monitoring and behavioral analytics to detect unauthorized access.Cross-domain visibility is critical. Companies must integrate intelligence across endpoint, identity, and cloud security to spot threats before they escalate.Threat intelligence-driven patching. Adversaries are increasingly chaining low-severity vulnerabilities together to create high-impact exploits. Patching strategies must prioritize real-world threat activity, not just severity scores.As cyber threats continue to evolve, the big question remains: Can defenders keep up with enterprise-grade adversaries who innovate as fast as the businesses they target? The next phase of cybersecurity will be a battle between AI-driven attackers and AI-driven defenses.For organizations, the message is clear: Adapt now, or risk becoming the next target in an era where cybercrime is no longer just a threatits an industry.

While digital assets often capture headlines, it's the underlying DeFi infrastructure that holds significant implications for wealth managers.

Dana White (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesFighters who usually rise by the KO usually fall by the KO.That was the case with middleweight knockout specialist Julian Marquez. According to Bert MMA aka Robert Tellez, Marquez was released following his fourth straight loss. All of the losses have come by KO.Most recently, Marquez suffered a first-round KO loss to Cody Brundage in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 103 on March 1 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. While it was likely Marquezs last fight in the UFC, he went out with a bang.Marquez, aka The Cuban Missile Crisis, compiled a 9-6 professional MMA record and a 3-5 mark in the UFC. Marquez broke into the UFC in August 2017 when he dazzled UFC President Dana White with a head-kick KO over Phil Hawes. Just four months later, in Marquezs main roster debut, he locked in a first-round submission win over Darren Stewart via front choke.LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - JUNE 05: Julian Marquez poses for a portrait during a UFC photo session on ... [+] June 5, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesIn July 2018, Marquez struggled to make weight against Alessio Di Chirico, and the fight was contested at a catchweight. Di Chirico took a split decision in the fight.Marquez would miss all of 2019 and 2020 following the loss. However, he responded well to his first loss in the UFC and the long layoff.In February 2021, Marquez defeated Maki Pitolo in the third round with an anaconda choke. Less than two months later, Marquez submitted veteran Sam Alvey with a second-round rear-naked choke.Unfortunately for Marquez, everything went downhill from there.In June 2022, Marquez was knocked out in the first round by Gregory Rodrigues. In March 2023, Marc-Andr Barriault stopped Marquez in the second round of their fight with a standing TKO.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Julian Marquez reacts after his loss to Marc-Andre Barriault of Canada ... [+] in a middleweight fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesIn June 2024, Zach Reese scored a vicious first-round KO win over Marquez, which led to the fourth and final KO loss to Brundage. At 34, Marquezs MMA career may not be over. However, it does seem safe to say that Marquezs run in the UFC is over.It would be interesting to see if he lands with the Global Fighting League or if he gets a chance to compete in the Professional Fighters League..Up Next - UFC 313SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 05: Alex Pereira of Brazil poses for a portrait after his victory ... [+] during the UFC 307 event at Delta Center on October 05, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC)Zuffa LLCOn Saturday from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, UFC 313 will take center stage in the world of MMA. UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira defends his title against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event. Here is a look at the entire card with start times and viewing information.UFC 313Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NevadaMain Card: 10:00 PM ET | Prelims: 8:00 PM ET | Early Prelims: 6:00 PM ETMain Card (10:00 PM ET)Light Heavyweight Championship Bout: Alex Pereira (C) vs. Magomed AnkalaevLightweight Bout: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael FizievLightweight Bout: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio BahamondesWomens Strawweight Bout: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin LucindoLightweight Bout: King Green vs. Mauricio RuffyPreliminary Card (8:00 PM ET)Heavyweight Bout: Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan KunievFlyweight Bout: Joshua Van vs. Rei TsuruyaMiddleweight Bout: Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen PetrosyanWelterweight Bout: Alex Morono vs. Carlos LealEarly Preliminary Card (6:00 PM ET)Featherweight Bout: Mairon Santos vs. Francis MarshallMiddleweight Bout: Djorden Santos vs. Ozzy DiazFeatherweight Bout: Chris Gutierrez vs. John Casteneda

With layoffs and continuing poor AAA game sales, its worth seeing how this happens and why gaming feels detached from its players.

The rise of AI-first search platforms is transforming the B2B landscape, offering a fundamentally different approach to finding information.

Google Chrome new sneaky atack warningJaap Arriens/NurPhotoAs sneaky attacks go, this one takes some beating. A new report suddenly warns that a fundamental vulnerability in the way Google Chrome and other Chromium browsers work means password managers, crypto wallets and other sensitive data is at risk. Just a single click on a malicious prompt could see you lose all your passwords. And the same attack can break into banking apps, crypto wallets and file stores.Google Updates Unbeatable PixelSamsung Must Catch Up FastThe report comes by way of SquareX, whose research team discovered a way for malicious extensions to silently impersonate any extension installed on the victims browser. The companys CEO warned me that solving this will require a major overhaul to ensure that such attacks are not possible. In short, users are tricked into installing benign extensions for their browser which perform useful tasks as expected. But once installed, the extension changes its form and icon to perfectly mimic any of your most sensitive apps. When you next click, you fall victim.Imagine that your AI transcriber tool shapeshifts into your password manager, the report says, then your crypto wallet and finally into your banking app all without your knowledge. This is exactly what polymorphic extensions can do.These replica extensions are frighteningly good. Just as with other attacks, AI makes detection immeasurably harder. A pixel perfect replica of the targets icon, HTML popup, workflows and even temporarily disables the legitimate extension, making it extremely convincing for victims to believe that they are providing credentials to the real extension. These credentials can then be used by attackers to access all the sensitive information, credentials and financial assets stored in the victims account.SquareXs report sets out the methodology whereby an entire password vault can be stolen. Step by step. And all it takes is a misjudged click."1. Attacker creates and publishes the polymorphic extension on Chrome Store, disguised as an AI marketing tool.2. Through various social engineering tactics (e.g. social media), the victim discovers and installs the extension from Chrome Store.3. During the installation process, a popup appears to prompt the user to pin the extension for a better experience.4. The extension functions as promised, providing AI marketing capabilities to the victim to stay under the radar."With that killer click, the attack determines which extension to impersonate. The trojan extension should not be able to report back on other extensions installed but it can. While direct monitoring of other extensions is banned by the Chrome extension subsystem, there are other ways that this can happen. The first way is to use the chrome.management API, an API used by many admin tools to manage installed applications, including browser extensions. The second, more stealthy way, is to use a technique called web resource hitting to identify the presence of unique web resources associated with known target extensions.SquareX uses the example of popular 1Password. Detecting a PNG file containing 1Passwords logo likely means that the password manager is installed in the victims browser. With that done, the next stage of the attack can begin:"5. The malicious extension injects a script into any open tab in the victims browser, which instructs the webpage to check for the presence of web resources that correlate to specific target extensions, in this case 1Password.6. The results from this web resource hitting exercise is sent back to the attackers server. If a target is identified, the attacker will proceed to phase 3. If not, the polymorphic extension will remain dormant, periodically injecting the same script until a suitable target gets installed.7. The victim lands on the login page of a SaaS app (e.g. Salesforce) and clicks on the login form.8. This triggers the polymorphic extension to:Temporarily disable 1Password, removing it from the pinned tabImpersonate 1Password, most importantly its icon on the pinned tab9. A HTML popup appears that says the victim is logged out of 1Password and prompts the victim to re-login into 1Password through the extension.10. The victim clicks on the fake extensions icon, opening up a pixel perfect replica of 1Passwords login page.11. Unknowingly, the victim enters their username, password and secret key, which is sent to the attackers server.12. Once the credentials are submitted, the polymorphic extension shifts back to its original appearance and re-enables 1Password.13. The real 1Password autofills the victims Salesforce credentials, allowing them to log in without any suspicion that the sequence has been tampered with."All of the passwords stored in the password manager can now be used to log into other platforms, to exfiltrate data or even impersonate the victim to propagate phishing campaigns to the victims contacts.Sneaky extension attackSquareXThis isnt just a password attack, of course. The same approach can be used to initiate crypto wallet transfers, access a victims banking apps, and steal documents. The research team point to the human tendency to rely on visual cues as a confirmation as the reason the threat from this new atack is so dangerous. Clearly, the risk lies in the initial extension installation and then the single click prompt. This is just the latest extension warning to hit users in recent months.Microsofts Free Windows UpgradeWhen Does Offer Expire?While this isnt just a Chrome issue, that browser remains the gorilla in the cage when it comes to Chromium, dominating the market. SquareX says that given that the attack exploits a legitimate functionality in Chrome, this attack cannot be solved by patching the browser. We have, however, written to Chrome for responsible disclosure.I have asked Google for any comments on the new report.Millions of people rely on browser extension based password managers and crypto wallets to store valuable credentials and assets, SquareXs Vivek Ramachandran told me. These credentials can then provide the attacker full unauthorized access to the target extension and do everything from exfiltrating all credentials stored in the password manager to emptying the victims crypto wallet."

Chief AI Officer roles are experiencing unprecedented turnover rates, with most leaving within 18 ... [+] months.Adobe StockWhen a Fortune 500 company hired its first Chief AI Officer last year, they announced it with tremendous fanfare. Eighteen months later, they quietly posted a new job listing for the same position. This is a scenario I am seeing play out across boardrooms worldwide as organizations grapple with a troubling challenge: the revolving door of Chief AI Officer positions.The CAIO role emerged when organizations scrambled to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. However, despite impressive salaries and reporting directly to CEOs, these positions frequently dissolve within two years. This leadership crisis threatens to derail AI initiatives at a time when strategic AI implementation has never been more critical.So why exactly are these crucial leadership positions failing? And more importantly, what can organizations do differently? Let's examine the five fundamental challenges undermining this pivotal role.The Expertise ParadoxImagine trying to find a world-class orchestra conductor who can also build violins from scratch. That's often what companies are looking for when searching for Chief AI Officers technical wizards who simultaneously excel at enterprise-wide business transformation.This unicorn hunt typically ends with one of two compromises: hiring technical experts who grasp neural networks but struggle with organizational change or selecting business leaders who can't earn credibility with AI teams because they lack technical depth.One technology company I advised hired a renowned machine learning researcher as their CAIO. While brilliant at algorithm development, she struggled to translate technical capabilities into business value. The company's AI initiatives became increasingly academic and disconnected from market needs.Conversely, a retail organization appointed a seasoned business executive to the role. He excelled at stakeholder management but lacked the technical judgment to evaluate vendors' increasingly outlandish AI claims, leading to several expensive missteps.This expertise paradox creates an impossible standard that sets up even the most talented leaders for failure.The Integration ChallengeAI doesn't exist in isolation it's part of a broader technology and data ecosystem. Yet companies frequently create CAIO positions as standalone silos, disconnected from existing digital and data initiatives.This organizational design flaw creates territorial conflicts rather than collaboration. At one financial services firm, the Chief AI Officer and Chief Data Officer independently developed competing strategies for the same business problems. The result? Duplicated efforts, inconsistent approaches, and, ultimately, wasted resources.Successful AI implementations require seamless integration with data infrastructure, IT systems, and business processes. When the CAIO operates in isolation, this integration becomes nearly impossible.Think of it like adding a new specialist to a surgical team without introducing them to the other doctors. No matter how skilled the newcomer is, their effectiveness depends entirely on how well they coordinate with the existing team.The Expectation MismatchPerhaps the most dangerous challenge facing CAIOs is the profound disconnect between expectations and reality. Many boards anticipate immediate, transformative results from AI initiatives the digital equivalent of demanding harvest without sowing.AI transformation isn't a sprint; it's a marathon with hurdles. Meaningful implementation requires persistent investment in data infrastructure, skills development, and organizational change management. Yet CAIOs often face arbitrary deadlines that are disconnected from these realities.One manufacturing company I worked with expected their newly appointed CAIO to deliver $50 million in AI-driven cost savings within 12 months. When those unrealistic targets weren't met, support for the role evaporated despite significant progress in building foundational capabilities.This timing mismatch creates a lose-lose scenario: either the CAIO pursues quick wins that deliver limited value, or they invest in proper foundations but get replaced before those investments bear fruit. Based on my experience, the right mix of both quick wins and strategic investments is the key to success.The Governance GapThere are many potential risks of AI, from bias to privacy concerns, and the right level of governance is essential. CAIOs are typically tasked with ensuring responsible AI use yet frequently lack the authority to enforce guidelines across departments.This accountability-without-authority dilemma places CAIOs in an impossible position. They're responsible for AI ethics and risk management, but departmental leaders can ignore their guidance with minimal consequences.One healthcare organization appointed a CAIO who developed comprehensive, responsible AI guidelines. However, when a major business unit rushed to implement an AI system without proper assessment, the CAIO couldn't halt deployment. Six months later, when bias issues emerged, guess who received the blame?Effective governance requires structural power, not just policy documents. Without enforcement mechanisms, CAIOs become convenient scapegoats rather than effective guardians.The Talent TensionEven the most brilliant strategy falters without proper execution. Many CAIOs struggle to build effective teams because they're competing for scarce AI talent with tech giants offering extraordinary compensation packages.This talent shortage creates a cascading problem. Without strong teams, CAIOs can't deliver results, and without results, they can't secure additional resources. Without resources, attracting talent becomes even hardera vicious cycle that undermines their position.One CAIO at an energy company described their situation as "trying to build a Formula 1 team while only being able to offer bicycle mechanic salaries." The talent gap creates a fundamental execution barrier that no amount of strategic brilliance can overcome.The Path To Successful AI LeadershipDespite these challenges, some organizations have developed successful CAIO roles. The difference lies in how they position, support, and integrate this critical function.Successful CAIOs aren't isolated AI evangelists; they're orchestrators who align AI with broader digital and data strategies. They have clear success metrics beyond implementation, focusing on business outcomes rather than technical deployments. They work with realistic timeframes and resources to build proper foundations.Most importantly, they have both board support and structural authority to drive cross-functional collaboration.Building The Right FoundationsFor organizations serious about AI transformation, the CAIO role requires thoughtful positioning. Rather than seeking unicorns, consider complementary leadership teams that combine technical and business expertise. Integrate the CAIO function within existing technology and data leadership instead of creating competing silos.Establish responsible AI governance with actual enforcement mechanisms. Set realistic expectations grounded in your organization's data maturity. And critically, focus on building sustainable talent strategies rather than relying on a single heroic leader.The CAIO role isn't failing because of individual shortcomings it's struggling because of structural flaws in how organizations approach AI leadership. By addressing these fundamental challenges, companies can transform this troubled position into a catalyst for genuine AI-powered transformation.The success of your AI initiatives doesn't depend on finding that mythical, perfect leader. It depends on creating the organizational conditions where AI leaders can actually succeed.

The new ROtel DX-3 is a high-end personal hi-fi for desktop use. RotelRotel, the boutique audio brand based in Tokyo, has announced the launch of a premium micro hi-fi system designed for the kind of living spaces that are the norm in Japans congested capital city.Even when space is at a premium, music lovers still insist on having high-quality sound from their audio system. To address this specialist market, Rotel has designed its new DX-3, a micro audio system that brings together a well-specified, high-performance headphone amplifier, pre-amplifier and stand-alone Digital-to-Audio Convertor, all in a single component that measures just 215 x 76 x 247mm.The Rotel DX-3 is described as the ultimate desktop audio companion and supports an array of modern and legacy source inputs including USB (32-bit/384kHz) with DSD 4X support, coaxial and optical digital inputs (24-bit/192kHz), wireless aptX HD and AAC Bluetooth, plus an RCA analog input for legacy sources like a turntable or FM tuner.At the front of the Rotel DX-3 is a full-colour display and headphone sockets for 4.4mm balanced and ... [+] 6.35mm single-ended.RotelRotel says it has used only the highest-grade electronic components in the DX-3, including the ESS Sabre ES9028PRO 8-channel DAC. There is an ultra-low noise toroidal transformer thats been manufactured in-house by Rotel. The DX-3 has high current drivers and uses high-quality capacitors to ensure the music has the ultimate resolution, rhythm and timing, as well as an immersive soundstage.The volume levels on the Rotel DX-3 are controlled by an audiophile-grade NJW1195A fully differential analog controller with steps as precise as 0.5dB. Analog and digital power supplies have been engineered so they are fully isolated from each other, ensuring minimal noise interference. To boost the performance further, the DX-3 has critically tuned, low-pass filters with a fully balanced, differential signal path that reduces unwanted noise and distortion levels.The DX-3 can adapt and enhance a wide range of wired headphones, including high, medium and low-impedance models. The headphone amplifier has a user-selectable gain setting. Headphone connectivity is supported through convenient front-mounted 4.4mm balanced and 6.35mm single-ended headphone jacks.At the rear of the Rotel DX-3 are all the inputs and outputs needed.RotelThe Rotel DX-3 can also functions as a standalone DAC and has a fully functional pre-amplifier with XLR Balanced and RCA outputs. This means the unit can directly drive an external power amplifier, powered active speakers or feed into a users existing audio audio setup.The industrial design and build quality on the DX-3 are well up to Rotels usual high standards and the unit features a full-color graphic display on the front panel that provides full user feedback. The front also sports the large, diamond-knurled volume knob. The DX-3 can be operated with controls on the front panel or by using the supplied remote control made from extruded aluminum.Pricing and Availability: The new Rotel DX-3 will be available in Europe and the UK from March 2025 with the rest of the world following soon after. The recommended retail pricing will be $1,499 / 1,399 / 1,499.Rotel says it has used only high-end components on the DX-3 and the transformer was designed and ... [+] manufactured in-house.Rotel

Prompt engineering gains a new handy technique known as atom-of-thoughts (AoT), here's the ... [+] nitty-gritty.gettyIn todays column, I showcase a vital new prompting technique known as atom-of-thoughts (AoT) that adds to the ongoing and ever-expanding list of prompt engineering best practices.Readers might recall that I previously posted an in-depth depiction of over fifty prompt engineering techniques and methods (see the link here). Top-notch prompt engineers realize that learning a wide array of researched and proven prompting techniques is the smartest way to get the most out of generative AI and likely garner you some good bucks for your skilled deeds.The newly devised atom-of-thoughts is reminiscent of the famed chain-of-thought (CoT) method, especially regarding CoT decomposition variations (see my discussion at the link here).AoT is brand new and provides an intriguing and useful twist that is worthwhile leveraging.Lets talk about it.This analysis of an innovative AI breakthrough is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI, including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here).Chain-of-Thought Is FamousThe place to begin is to quickly bring up what chain-of-thought is all about. Doing so will handily set the stage for atoms-of-thought.Here we go.Avid users who are especially experienced in using generative AI and large language models (LLMs) know that one of the handiest prompting techniques consists of asking the AI to do a chain-of-thought (CoT) processing approach (I cover the basics at the link here).All you need to do is tell the AI to proceed on a stepwise basis, and the AI will then showcase various logical steps that it performed to reach an answer. In any given prompt, you can say something such as that the AI should proceed by using a step-by-step approach or just about any similar suggestion. The AI will get your drift and shift into CoT mode.Studies show that the use of CoT tends to stir generative AI toward better answers. This is partially because of the AI slowing down to carefully specify each step of a solving process. Most of the AI makers have tilted their AI toward being fast, more so than being necessarily accurate or correct. By giving a prompt that explicitly tells the AI to do CoT, you are giving the AI permission to methodically attempt to answer your query or cautiously solve the problem you have presented.Another advantage of using CoT is that you can inspect the reasoning steps that the AI displays to you.This is useful for two primary reasons. First, the steps shown are essentially an explanation of how the AI arrived at an answer. Sometimes, having the AI explain the basis for arriving at a generated response can be hugely useful. Second, upon personal inspection of the steps, you might discern that something went amiss in one or more steps. This gives you a helpful dose of skepticism about whether the answer the AI generated is right.The main downside of frequently leaning into CoT is that it takes a bit longer for the AI to process your queries and then return a result. This is referred to as latency. CoT usually extends or lengthens the latency. A somewhat related downside is that the processing time is likely to cost more because you are using up more processing cycles to arrive at a response.Generally, if the cost you are paying is low and you are willing to wait a few extra seconds, chain-of-thought is a bucko-prompting technique. The AI makers eventually realized that utilizing CoT is such a good idea that they have opted to make it an always-on feature. The latest generative AI reasoning models enforce the use of CoT.As a precaution, it is best to not ask for CoT in a prompt if the generative AI that you are using is already set up to automatically invoke CoT; troubles can arise (see my explanation at the link here).Atom-Of-Thoughts ArisesThere are many offshoot prompting techniques that make use of CoT as a launching pad. For example, there is logic-of-thoughts (see LoT described at the link here), tree-of-thoughts (see ToT at the link here), skeleton-of-thoughts (see SoT at the link here), and others.Atom-of-thoughts is also an offshoot of chain-of-thought.The big difference is that atom-of-thoughts instructs the AI to do a divide-and-conquer when working on the steps associated with generating an answer. The aim is to divide the steps into a semblance of atoms, namely individual steps that dont rely on any other steps. As much as possible, the most elemental steps are to be surfaced, and then they can each be separately resolved. After doing so, they are brought back together to reach a final answer.Why do this?One crucial aspect is that the conventional chain-of-thought tends to be a bloated affair. Heres what I mean. The AI usually keeps all the steps in a large baggage area and consumes internal memory somewhat needlessly. There is a default assumption that all the steps need to be collectively in a semi-active state. But that might not be truly needed.If the steps can be placed into individual parcels, then the history associated with all the steps isnt particularly actively required. The AI can just tackle each step on its own merits. All the other floating around stuff is not pertinent to that specific step. Keep away all the non-pertinent junk and focus on a single step.AoT Considerations And CaveatsIm sure you are already saying to yourself that this approach is nice, but if the steps intricately interrelate with each other and are wholly dependent on each other, the AI cant sensibly parcel them into individualized, concentrated steps.You nailed it.A noteworthy facet is that there are some classes of problems that the AoT will be useful on and others where it wont. AoT is not a silver bullet. It is a new tool in the toolbox. You dont use a hammer when a screwdriver is warranted. AoT has its place and time. The mainstay is when the underlying steps can be worked on rather independently.You might not have any ready means of knowing whether a problem that you give to the AI is suitable for AoT. Generally, if the problem is seemingly large and complex, it is a reasonable bet that an AoT might be beneficial. If the problem is tiny and requires few steps, Im not sure that using AoT is going to get much bang for the buck.Of course, if you are aware at the get-go that the steps are likely to be separable, boom, go ahead and invoke AoT. Even if you arent sure, thats somewhat okay since the AoT will be willing to essentially perform a customary CoT; its just that you havent gained anything via the AoT invocation.Categories that are very likely for AoT would be when using generative AI for deriving mathematical proofs, producing programming code, and for highly structured reasoning tasks. Less likely categories would be creative writing tasks, overall conversational engagement, etc.Those are general rules of thumb.Depending on how AoT is implemented in a particular generative AI and LLM, those rules might vary, so make sure to look at the documentation for whichever AI you are using to decide whats best when it comes to AoT usage.One other handy benefit is that the AI can potentially do the processing in parallel and radically speed up the time needed to get you an answer. There is some irony there. On the one hand, invoking any CoT usually takes more processing cycles and costs more. But if the AI is established to simultaneously use multiple processors at once, the individualized steps can be done extremely quickly since they are executed at the same moment in time. Parallelism is a lot harder when steps are interrelated, such that the AI must execute a step, wait for a result, and then do the next step. AoT plays into the possibility of exploiting parallelism in the hardware.Invoking Atom-Of-ThoughtsSome generative AI apps have a built-in feature to perform AoT, while others allow an add-on that does AoT. Many generative AIs dont natively yet have a direct means of performing AoT, though you can use a prompt that might get you close to it.You are welcome to use this prompt that Ive devised:Atom-of-thoughts fundamental prompt: Break down the problems that I enter into their most atomic, self-contained steps feasible. Each step should be as independent as possible, requiring minimal reliance on previous steps. If any of the steps can be executed in parallel, structure them accordingly. Perform each step separately, then reintegrate all results to produce a coherent final response.A few points about this templated sample are worth pointing out.First, you dont have to use the representative prompt word-for-word as shown. There isnt any magical wording going on. You can vary the wording as befits your style and preference. Mainly, keep things short and direct. Too long of an instruction can sometimes befuddle the generative AI.Second, the odds are that the AI is going to say yes, it will proceed as youve asked. Thats good news and possibly bad news.Unfortunately, you dont know for sure what it will actually do. If the AI isnt especially capable of AoT, it will mimic the AoT, and youll possibly get a kind of AoT or maybe a half-baked version. It wont be wrong per se, it will just be a fakery or simulated attempt at AoT. Sometimes, something is better than nothing. You be the judge.Some Example Problems Tackled By AoTSuppose that I used the above AoT establishing prompt and then gave the AI this problem to be solved.My entered prompt: Using the Atom-of-Thoughts (AoT) approach that I described to you, go ahead and solve the quadratic equation 3x - 5x + 2 = 0.Generative AI response: I will go ahead and break the solution process into the most atomic, self-contained steps. Each step will be performed independently if feasible. I will then reintegrate the steps to produce a final answer for you.You might be rusty about solving quadratic equations. No worries. There are about a half dozen steps to solve this easy equation. Of those steps, a few can be performed independently of the others. I knew that was the case and thus gave the AI an easy AoT candidate to work with.The two independently computed roots are x = 1 and x = 2/3. Easy-peasy.Lets try another example that might be a more transparent candidate for AoT.My entered prompt: Using again the Atom-of-Thoughts (AoT) approach that I described to you, determine whether the statement 'All cats are mammals, and some mammals are not cats; therefore, some cats are not mammals is logically valid. Show me the steps you end up using to solve this problem.Generative AI response: Step 1. Independently interpret the first premise that all cats are mammals. Step 2. Independently interpret the second premise that some mammals are not cats. Step 3. Independently interpret the claimed conclusion that some cats are not mammals. Step 4. Bring together the prior step interpretations. The statement "Therefore, some cats are not mammals" is a claim that contradicts Step 2. If all cats are mammals, then it is logically impossible for some cats to be not mammals. Step 5. The structure of the conclusion attempts to reverse the logical relationship established in Step 2. This is a logical fallacyspecifically, a misinterpretation of categorical logic. It is therefore not logically valid.The AI parsed the statement that I gave and opted to independently assess each of the separable premises. Once this was completed, the AI brought together those assessments to try and figure out whether the statement was logically valid. Those first steps could be executed in parallel. The final step was dependent upon the results of those prior steps.Admittedly, those were quite simple queries. Using AoT probably didnt add much value. If the word problem was a lot longer and more convoluted, AoT would likely be a plus. The same would have happened if I had given the AI a complex mathematical equation. I was just aiming to showcase some illustrative examples.Additional Benefits Of AoTI think it is useful to emphasize some bonuses of using AoT.I already noted that you can potentially have generative AI exploit parallel execution. Multi-threaded AI systems and distributed processing architectures for AI are pretty much where we are headed. Ergo, this works out well (see my coverage at the link here).Moving on, you might be familiar with the gloomy and doomy nature of AI hallucinations, consisting of circumstances where the AI generates falsehoods that arent factually grounded. AI hallucinations are a big-time problem for generative AI and LLMs. Using AI on serious and life-critical aspects is undermined by the chance that at any moment an AI hallucination might be encountered, and the user wont readily know that it has occurred. For more about the many efforts to try and beat back AI hallucinations, see my discussion at the link here.Some speculate that the chances of AI hallucinations arising during CoT and AoT are generally lessened. We dont know for sure that this is the case. It might be wishful thinking. There is some logic as to why the stepwise method might help reduce the odds of AI hallucinations.The logic is this. The AI will hopefully perform each step well and independently verify the step when it does the execution. Sometimes, conventional CoT is so jumbled that if a step goes awry, the result cascades into the rest of the problem-solving process. One bad apple spoils the barrel. The thinking is that in AoT, there is a heightened chance that by closely performing each step independently, the AI is reducing those cascading odds.Sounds upbeat. Well need to see how empirical research studies bear out on this. Im keeping my fingers crossed.Research On AoTSpeaking of research, a handy new paper that introduces AoT was recently posted online and is entitled Atom of Thoughts for Markov LLM Test-Time Scaling by Fengwei Teng, Zhaoyang Yu, Quan Shi, Jiayi Zhang, Chenglin Wu, and Yuyu Luo, arXiv, February 17, 2025, making these key points (excerpts):Large Language Models (LLMs) achieve superior performance through training-time scaling, and test-time scaling further enhances their capabilities by conducting effective reasoning during inference. However, as the scale of reasoning increases, existing test-time scaling methods suffer from accumulated historical information, which not only wastes computational resources but also interferes with effective reasoning.To address this issue, we observe that complex reasoning progress is often achieved by solving a sequence of independent sub-questions, each being self-contained and verifiable.These sub-questions are essentially atomic questions, relying primarily on their current state rather than accumulated history, similar to the memoryless transitions in a Markov process.Based on this observation, we propose Atom of Thoughts (AOT), where each state transition in the reasoning process consists of decomposing the current question into a dependency-based directed acyclic graph and contracting its sub-questions, forming a new atomic question state.This iterative decomposition-contraction process continues until reaching directly solvable atomic questions, naturally realizing Markov transitions between question states.Notice that they leverage Markov modeling with the AoT. If you are interested in how generative AI and LLMs can advantageously lean into Markov chains, see my explanation at the link here.Use AoT Gracefully And With AplombI urge you to consider adding AoT to your prompt engineering toolkit.That being said, your best bet would be to do what it takes to get to Carnegie Hall -- practice, practice, practice. You should set aside some focused time to try out the AoT prompt. Use a variety of problems. Examine what works and what doesnt. Decide how and when youll use the new prompting technique.Please dont mindlessly try to use a screwdriver if a hammer is the better choice.The final comment for now will go to Albert Einstein: Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." Make sure to question when to use AoT, along with questioning yourself when you dont use AoT and should have done so.Yes, indeed, the important thing is not to stop questioning.

AI: Too much of a good thing?gettyAs use of generative AI proliferates across organizations, there are traps that can undermine any benefits it can bring. Whats needed to avoid any traps is the right mindset.The leading traps of AI were explored by Elisa Fari and Gabriele Rosani, both with Capgemini Invents Management Lab, in their latest book, HBR Guide to Generative AI for Managers.Its understandable why people want to embrace genAI in a fast and furious way. As you begin to use genAI in your daily work, youll experience a mix of emotions, including excitement, curiosity, and perhaps even a touch of apprehension," Fari and Gabriele Rosani write. Adopting the right mindset around generative AI will help you explore and experiment confidently and responsibly.They outline the leading traps that arise with human-AI collaboration:Too much trust in AI: This comes from excessively trusting gen AI output, "without exercising their critical judgment, driven by laziness of a superficial impression that AIs responses sound good enough," Fari and Rosani warn. They recommend actively probing AIs reasoning "by asking for clarifications and better articulation, requesting counterarguments, and identifying weak points.The risk of fabrication: Its risky to accept gen AI output as factual without verifying it, the co-authors state. Many are not even aware of the risk of AIs fabrication. The autorotative tone of language models further fuels this risk. Its important, then, to validate statements against established facts from reputable sources and consult experts, particularly on unfamiliar topics.The tendency toward conformity: Be as specific and within context as possible, to avoid AIs tendency to deliver bland, generic output lacking diversity and originality. This involves prompting AI with contextual information for example, about a companys values, unique value proposition, brand, and so on, Fari and Rosani advise. "Ask AI to consider it as a guideline throughout the creative process.The speed trap: Theres a natural tendency to type, click or advance too hastily when working with technology, they state. Perhaps people working with AI should slow down, and actively participate in the conversation. They should articulate their own perspectives and counterarguments."Solo trap: Some people may simply choose to work with AI and stop interacting with other humans altogether. This is not healthy. This can reduce interpersonal communication and knowledge sharing within the team, resulting in more siloed work and a lack of diverse perspectives, Fari and Rosani warn. They urge regular breaks from such solo AI interactions to engage face-to-face with colleagues. Seek feedback, integrate diverse viewpoints, and encourage peer learning.To avoid these traps, Fari and Rosani urge developing a genAI mindset embracing all that AI can offer, but keeping humans engaged and skeptical.This includes interacting with systems in a conversational way, trying and testing different AI models, and using it responsibly. A genAI mindset is all about continuous learning. Hands-on testing reveals capabilities, limitations, effective usage techniques, risks, and potential mitigations." the co-authors point out. Adopting a learning mindset asking what it? can help you reap the full benefits.This also represents important steps to take in skills development, they add. Experimentation will help you understand which skills your team needs to develop most. Start where your testers encounter specific challenges or barriers in using gen AI. For instance, your team may find it challenging to effectively prompt AI to perform certain tasks or may struggle when crafting a suitable outline for a human-machine dialogue. Testers may encounter common pitfalls, such as placing too much trust in the machine, only to realize later that additional verification was indeed necessary."Knowledge of prompting techniques, both basic simple queries and advanced structured prompts is an important skill, and is likely where you should start your upskilling efforts, they state. "Many companies have also created prompt academies to train their employees, while offering a platform to share and collect learnings, known as prompt libraries.

Taco Bells 2025 menu is packed with bold flavors, fan-favorite revivals, and a few ... [+] surprisesincluding a sauce so spicy it comes with a waiver. Heres a closer look at the biggest menu additions, from the Mikes Hot Honey collab to the return of a cult-classic Mexican Pizza twist.Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesTaco Bells newest menu update isnt just about bold flavorsit comes with a warning.At Live Ms Live 2025, the brands annual innovation event, Taco Bell revealed 30 new menu items, including one sauce so fiery it requires a waiver to try.The Purple Chile Sauce, made with Aj Panca, Habanero, and Ghost Pepper, pushes the brands love of extreme heat to a new level.But this menu drop is bigger than just spiceits a snapshot of where fast food is headed. Taco Bell isnt just bringing back old favorites or dialing up the heat; its tapping into three forces shaping how people eat right now: nostalgia, spectacle, and global flavor mashups.The Mexican Pizza Empanada plays to fan obsession. The Mikes Hot Honey collab turns fast food into a crossover event. And the ube-stuffed cookie? Its a reminder that American fast food is more expansive than ever, embracing flavors that once existed outside of the drive-thru.Heres whats comingand why it hits.The Biggest Menu HighlightsTaco Bell CMO, Taylor Montgomery unveils the Quesocrisp Taco an all-new taco with a shell made out ... [+] of crispy cheese.Taco Bell Corp.Taco Bell has never been afraid of pushing the limits of fast food innovation, and its 2025 menu proves its doubling down on big flavors, fan nostalgia, and viral-worthy spice levels.Some of the most talked-about additions include:Mikes Hot Honey Diablo Sauce: A fiery collab with Mikes Hot Honey, blending sweet heat with Taco Bells signature Diablo spice. If the honey-drizzled pizza craze was any indication, this sauce is about to be everywhere.Purple Chile Sauce (Waiver Required!): Made with Aj Panca, Habanero, and Ghost Pepper, this sauce is so intense it requires a waiver to try. Taco Bell has never been one to shy away from spice, but this takes it to a new level.Ube Strawberry Cookie: A chewy sugar cookie stuffed with vanilla ube cream and strawberry pieces. With ubes massive rise in mainstream desserts, Taco Bell is tapping into one of the most popular flavors of the decade.Reimagined Fan Favorites: The Mexican Pizza Empanada, Mini Taco Salad, and Toasted Cheddar Street Chalupa prove Taco Bell understands one thing well: fans love nostalgiabut they love it with a twist.From sweet heat to reinvented classics, Taco Bell is betting big on bold flavors, global influences, and social media-friendly hype.Taco Bell Is Turning Fast Food Into a Cultural EventFast food isnt just about whats on the menuits about how people experience it. Taco Bells ... [+] latest menu drop proves that fast food chains are borrowing from fashion drops, gaming culture, and music festivals to create high-energy, fan-driven events.Taco Bell Corp.Taco Bell doesnt just launch new menu itemsit turns them into a moment.Live Ms Live has become the brands version of a product keynote, mixing celebrity hosts, limited-edition merch, and fan-first experiences that make it feel like a fast-food festival.This year, they expanded beyond food into luxury collabs, gaming crossovers, and exclusive in-app drops, reinforcing its status as the most hype-driven fast food brand in America.Heres what else Taco Bell unveiled:Bad Birdie x Taco Bell A golf apparel collab and a high school tournament sponsorship.Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 & 4 For the first time ever, Taco Bell restaurants and merch will appear in the game.Live Ms Caf A beverage-first Taco Bell concept launched in San Diego, featuring 30 handcrafted drinks like Dirty Baja Blast and Churro Chillers.Taco Bell isnt just a drive-thru anymoreits a brand people engage with, like a fashion drop, a gaming event, or a cult-favorite restaurant.What Taco Bells New Menu Says About Fast Food TodayFrom nostalgia-fueled fan favorites to exclusive app-only releases, Taco Bells latest menu reflects ... [+] the way fast food culture is shifting in 2025. This isnt just about what people are eatingits about how brands are shaping the way we engage with food itself.Taco Bell Corp.Fast food isnt just about convenience anymoreits about participation, nostalgia, and cultural relevance.Taco Bell understands that people dont just want their favorite menu items backthey want to feel like theyre part of something bigger. The return of the Mexican Pizza Empanada isnt just a new product; its a nod to the fan-driven movement that revived the original Mexican Pizza. The message is clear: fast food brands that listen to their customersand make them feel heardwin.The Live Ms Live festival proves another shift: ordering food is no longer just a transaction; its an experience. With app-first exclusives, merch drops, and loyalty perks, Taco Bell has turned its app into more than a mobile ordering toolits a VIP pass. In 2025, fast food is borrowing strategies from streetwear brands and music festivals, making every launch feel like a moment.And then theres the menu itself. While Taco Bell has always played with bold flavors, this years lineup leans further into global influence than ever before. The Aj Panca-laced chile sauce, ube-infused cookie, and gochujang-inspired spice blends reflect how much the American fast food palate has changed. Consumers are looking for bigger, bolder, and more complex flavors, and brands are paying attention.This isnt just about Taco Bellits about where fast food is headed. Nostalgia sells. Exclusivity drives engagement. Global flavors are the new normal. At the end of the day, Taco Bell isnt just making menu changesits living its own motto. Live Ms isnt just a sloganits how fast food keeps evolving.MORE FROM FORBES

How to solve today's Wordle.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLooking for Wednesdays Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here:Welcome back, dearest Wordlers, to your hip and swingin daily Wordle Guide! Its Thors Day, which means we need to solve yesterdays Wordle Wednesday puzzle before moving on to the Wordle itself.This was the puzzle:The Great Race of EldoriaFour legendary creaturesa griffon, a wyvern, a centaur, and a dire wolfset off from the enchanted city of Eldoria toward the distant Crystal Peak, each traveling at their own pace.The griffon flies at a speed of 60 miles per hour, but every 3 hours, it must rest for 1 hour.The wyvern flies at 80 miles per hour, but it tires quickly and needs to rest for 30 minutes every hour.The centaur gallops tirelessly at a steady 45 miles per hour.The dire wolf runs in bursts60 miles per hour for 40 minutes, then it must slow to 20 miles per hour for the next 20 minutes before repeating the cycle.If the Crystal Peak is exactly 240 miles away, in what order to the creatures arrive? The answer:1st place Griffon, 2nd place Dire Wolf, 3rd place Centaur, 4th place WyvernOkay, Wordle time!How To Solve Todays WordleThe Hint: Notification.The Clue: This Wordle begins with a vowel.Okay, spoilers below!...The Answer:Today's WordleScreenshot: Erik KainWordle AnalysisEvery day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. Boy oh boy did I get lucky today! I picked TREAD because I didnt want to start with an S or a C and settled on a T word, and then just used the first one that came to mind that didnt have a double T (TREAT was my first instinct, but I swapped that to TREAD). Only 2 words remained: ALERT and AVERT and I chose the more likely of the two. Huzzah!Competitive Wordle ScoreToday's Wordle BotCredit: Erik KainI get 2 points for guessing in 2 and another point for beating the Bot. 3 points! The Bot gets 1 point for guessing in three and -1 for losing to me, for a total of zero points!March Running Total: 9 points.Wordle Bot Running Total: -4 points.How To Play Competitive WordleGuessing in 1 is worth 3 points; guessing in 2 is worth 2 points; guessing in 3 is worth 1 point; guessing in 4 is worth 0 points; guessing in 5 is -1 points; guessing in 6 is -2 points and missing the Wordle is -3 points.If you beat your opponent you get 1 point. If you tie, you get 0 points. And if you lose to your opponent, you get -1 point. Add it up to get your score. Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.Fridays are 2XP, meaning you double your pointspositive or negative.You can keep a running tally or just play day-by-day. Enjoy!Todays Wordle EtymologyThe word "alert" comes from the Italian phrase "all'erta", which means "on the lookout" or "on the watch." "All'erta" is a contraction of "alla" (meaning "to" or "on") and "erta" (meaning "height" or "elevated place").It originally referred to soldiers standing on high ground, staying vigilant for danger. The term entered English in the 16th17th century, first as a military term, before evolving into its broader modern meanings related to awareness and readiness.Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when Im not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

A resting camel near the pyramids in Giza, Egypt.gettyIn February 2025, Airbnb joined a continuously growing list of travel companies that no longer promote and sell camel and horse ride tickets at the Giza Pyramids, Egypt.Since the investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in 2019 revealed shocking footage of mistreated camels and horses, multiple travel companies stopped offering these rides.I have been to Egypt twice and the level of animal abuse there is shocking, says Alexandra Dubakova, head of marketing at Freetour.com. Horses pull a carriage with overweight tourists as the driver screams at them. Camels go for ride after ride in the extreme heat without feeding or drinking water until the end of the day. I contacted a guide and requested them to go on foot with me as I didnt want to ride a camel and they declined. I was forced to contact another guide, who luckily agreed, she continues.However, Giza is already changing. Ahram Online reported in October 2024 that Sherif Fathy, minister of tourism and antiquities and Alaa Farouk, minister of agriculture and land reclamation launched the first ever animal welfare program for horses, camels and pets at archaeological sites.Orascom Pyramids Entertainment (OPE), the company leading the transformation of the Giza Pyramids visitor experience, has also announced plans to regulate and better organize animal operators at the site, as reported by Ahram Online.So, how to be an ethical traveler when it comes to exploring one of the worlds most iconic landmarks in this transitional period?The Giza Plateau Is One Of Egypts Timeless LegaciesGiza Plateau is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. It sits on the west bank of the Nile River about eight miles southwest of downtown Cairo. It takes 30 to 40 minutes by car and 1 to 1.5 hours by public transport.A beautiful profile of the Great Sphinx including the pyramids of Menkaure and Khafre in the ... [+] background in Giza, Cairo, EgyptgettyThe plateau is home to, among others, the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure and the Great Sphinx. While the entrance fee grants access to the plateau, entering the pyramids requires a separate ticket.If you have only seen photos of the Giza Plateau, you already know that the landscape is a mix of sand and rock, with little to no shade for visitors. While some paved areas exist near the entrance, much of the terrain is rugged.Justin and Karolina Jaczewska-Bagri, a UK couple, who visited Giza in December 2024, confirmed in an email interview that all these landmarks are within walking distance of each other. They thought only one viewpoint was a bit out of the way, but they did not feel the need to use any animal transport.However, if tourists visit the site during summer, the extreme heat may feel daunting, and the distances may feel longer. It is not hard to see that camel rides or horse-drawn carriages can provide an easier way to move among the different sites for those who do not want to walk in the heat. But does convenience justify the current practice?Horse-drawn carriages ride along a road connecting the Sphinx with the Pyramids, in Giza, Egypt.gettyCamel Rides By The Pyramids May Look Magical In Photos, But The Reality Is DifferentTravelers associate riding a camel with the classic desert adventure often seen in movies such as "Hidalgo" or "Sahara," embedding this imagery in our heads.Additionally, travel photos showing tourists riding camels in desert landscapes further cement this association. For example, Getty Images hosts more than 12,000 photographs of people on camel-back in sandy landscapes. Instagram has almost 400,000 posts under the "camelride" hashtag.Young couple riding camels in Giza Plateau.gettyMy husband, Nandor Barta, was eager to visit the Pyramids during a business trip to Cairo. After all, he could see them right from his hotel window. He had imagined visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World would be an exciting, awe-inspiring experience.However, what stood out most was not the iconic monuments but the relentless swarm of locals pushing donkey and camel rides on him. Even when the pyramids were two minutes away, they tried to convince him, "It is very far." He felt everything costs money, taking a photo of a camel or locals "helping" to take a picture of him in front of a pyramid.Ultimately, he firmly refused all rides and left with a sour impression. The site felt chaotic, and he could not shake the feeling that there was little to no control over what was happening within the archaeological zone.The Jaczewska-Bagri couple also recommends a simple ruse to avoid any hassles. We just told everyone who try to sell us a ride that we have already been here yesterday and did it. It worked like a charm, they said.Another way to avoid it according to Jasmine Charbonier, a travel blogger who visited Giza last year, is to arrive at opening time. Not just to beat the crowds, but because many animal handlers havent arrived yet. She found that by mid-afternoon, solicitation becomes increasingly aggressive, making it the worst time to visit.If you browse reviews on sites like TripAdvisor or Google Reviews, you will find hundreds of travelers sharing the same unpleasant experience. So, how can you experience the Pyramids without falling for scams while still having a great time?Traffic and crowds at the archeological site of Giza Plateau, Egypt Getty ImagesWhy Smart Travelers Are Booking Private Guides, And How to Find Trusted OnesMany travelers, such as Alicia Walter, a travel journalist who has been to Giza, agree that having a trusted guide is invaluable. She explained that having a private guide allowed them to go by many of the "salesmen" as they instantly saw that they were with a local.Guides will handle transportation to and from downtown Cairo, assist you with purchasing tickets at the entrance and help you deflect unwanted attention. Having them by your side would allow you to focus on the experience rather than the hassles. But where to find those guides?Online platforms that connect travelers with vetted local guides have emerged to make navigating unfamiliar destinations easier, especially in places where tourist scams and aggressive sales tactics are common.One of the oldest private touring platforms is Tour By Locals, founded in 2008. You can find 34 local guides in Giza, several with hundreds of reviews.Thanks to a rigorous selection and screening process, most customers report being highly satisfied with their tours, leading many travelers to book through their website repeatedly.GoWithGuide and TourHQ are other alternatives focusing on guide verification and user reviews to connect travelers with knowledgeable locals.The official website of Visit Egypt also advises travelers not to hire a tourist guide right at the entrance of the archeological site as they often overcharge.Electric Buses Are Connecting Gizas Top Landmarks Since 2020Golf cart ride through the desert in Egypt. gettyAs part of the Giza Plateau revamp an eco-friendly electric bus service has already began its trial operation in 2020, connecting the visitor center to the first on-site restaurant, 9 Pyramids Lounge. According to Amr Gazarin, chairman of OPE, its final form will be a hop-on hop-off kind bus service between the visitor center and seven additional locations.Ahram Online reported in December 2024 that OPE is set to invest an additional 1 billion Egyptian pounds ($51.1 million) to create a more organized and eco-friendly visitor experience. And this comes after the November 2024 announcement of 500 million Egyptian pounds.Dubakova tried them when she visited the site and she thought they were surprisingly more comfortable than she expected them to be.Quad Rides Are Clearly An Alternative, But Are They Really Better?With camel and horse rides under increasing scrutiny, some travelers are turning to buggy and quad bike tours as an alternative way to explore the desert landscape surrounding the Giza Pyramids. While they take visitors outside the archeological site, they offer panoramic views of the pyramids without the persistent offers from vendors.Buggies on a dirt road in Egypt.gettyRebecca Leigh, a travel writer at Ukwritings.com, visited the Giza Pyramids and opted for a quad bike tour instead of an animal ride.In an email interview, she described the quad bike experience as unforgettable, with the vast desert and pyramids creating a breathtaking backdrop. However, she noted that sunglasses or goggles were essential due to the intense sand.The highlight of her ride was the exhilarating rush of speeding over the dunes, with the pyramids rising dramatically in the distance. She felt part of a movie scene. The guides carefully led her and her group to a vantage point where all three pyramids aligned perfectly against the sky, offering a stunning photo opportunity.While bike tours remove animals from the equation, it raises another question. Is it truly a sustainable alternative? Off-road vehicles, while undeniably exciting, contribute to noise pollution and dust, having a higher carbon footprint. Is this the price to pay if you want to stop the animal abuse reported in this area?No Tickets, No Tours, But A Great Meal With An Iconic ViewA lone man sits on the roof of a restaurant and enjoys a beautiful view of the Great Pyramids of ... [+] Giza, Cairo, Egypt.gettyIf you are a traveler who does not want to navigate the crowds, haggle with vendors or brave the desert heat to see the Pyramids up close, you can still find stunning views from the comfort of rooftop restaurants and hotels overlooking the Giza Plateau.Enjoying the Sound and Light Show from a private balcony offers a stress-free, picture-perfect experience without tickets, tours or camel rides. From Wednesday to Saturday, the show starts at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.Rethinking How We Experience the PyramidsThe Giza Pyramids remain one of the worlds most awe-inspiring destinations, but how travelers experience them matters. With travel companies dropping support for camel and horse rides over ethical concerns, visitors also have a role to play in advocating for responsible tourism. As Egypts tourism industry evolves, the question remains: What should ethical travel to the Pyramids look like? And how can we achieve it?

MacBook Air M4 Product ShotApple NewsroomAfter a perfunctory campaign ahead of the launch, Apple has released the M4 MacBook Air. While it carries many of Apples innovations, Tim Cook and his team have opted for a straightforward upgrade rather than disrupt the consumer-focused laptop brand.MacBook Air M4 FeaturesHighlights include the aforementioned M4 chipset, doubling the RAM on all models to 16 GB, supporting two external displays, and a price drop on the entry-level models to $999 for the 13-inch and $1,199 for the 15-inch.While the Apple community will welcome these features, its notable that they are all readily available on the current MacBook Pro models. The increase in RAM in the base model will help support Apple Intelligence and echoes the RAM increase seen in the entry-level iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus from 6 GB to 8GB. Being able to drive two external displays, in addition to the laptop screen, will boost productivity for many, and by introducing this new MacBook Air at the totemic $999, the rest of the portfolio can be trimmed.The built-in webcam has been upgraded from 1080p to 12 megapixels and carries the CenterStage Camera branding, which will use software to push you towards the centre of the frame if you are pacing by your laptop.Finally, the M4 chipset debuted some ten months ago in May 2024, and has already featured in the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini and Mac Studio. The MacBook Air is still picking up the M4 while it is current, but with the M5 expected to launch at WWDC in May 2025, the Air will be a generation behind in short order.Perhaps thats why the price can be brought down to $999.Whats New In The MacBook Air M4And thats it for new features. While the MacBook Pro pushes ahead with innovation, the MacBook Air has addressed some of the pain pointsbut not all of them, it comes with just two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left-hand sidebut does not little to advance the design and forward-looking nature the Apple brand came to be known for.Oh, and it comes in Sky Blue now, which makes the upgrade worthwhile. Doesnt it?Now read why Apples delayed introduction of the M4 MacBook Air benefits the portfolio...

There's every reason to believe that 'Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4' will be among the most ... [+] well-received games of the year, and probably the best remaster but it has form on its side.ActivisionAfter being the worlds worst-kept gaming secret for weeks, Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4 has finally been confirmed for general release on July 11. Ive never been so convinced that itll be among the most well-received games of the year and maybe even the best remake but it has form on its side.I dont often make eat my hat statements (especially as I have about 55 baseball caps on hand to chew through if Im wrong), but THPS 3 + 4 will deliver what its target audience wants, needs, and expects. No-one can even guess if we can say the same about the other massive remake frontrunner, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, helmed by an unpredictable Konami and supported by Virtuos, whose contributions are to games as varied in quality as Horizon Forbidden West, 2023s Modern Warfare 3, Outcast: A New Beginning, and South Park: Snow Day!.When I covered THPS 1 + 2 back in September 2020, I said it was the best-ever remake to date. Nearly five years later, it felt like it needed to be put into context. It dropped during COVID, when anything vaguely positive seemed like the most exciting thing ever; I also grew up with the originals. Even I wondered in retrospect that I mightve been a bit glassy-eyed and overnostalgic.All it took was replaying Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1 + 2 for a few hours last weekend. Its just as fun, satisfying, effortless, and respectful of its source material nearly five years on. We always knew 3 + 4 would follow, but after nearly half a decade, the trailer will have put thousands of viewers on the edge of happy tears it certainly did for me.The launch announcement was limited, but it already sounds like its doing everything right. First and foremost is the tremendous and entirely unsurprising news for Xbox One/Series and PC owners that Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4 will be on Game Pass from day one the first Activision-Blizzard launch-day drop that isnt a Call of Duty. Of course, its also coming to PS4, PS5, Steam, Battle.net, and Nintendo Switch.If youre buying, all pre-orders of any game edition will get access to a Foundry Demo in June, as well as a Wireframe Tony Shader at launch (Alexa, insert Alan Partridge shrug GIF). Things get a bit spicier with digital deluxe and collectors editions.Buying either of these grants three-day early access from July 8 a bonus Ill never understand but the additional content kinda seems good and might be worth the money to some. In true crossover fashion, it gives a DOOM-themed pack featuring Doomguy and Revenant characters, an Unmakyr board and, perhaps most importantly, music from the series. The Collectors Edition takes things one step further, with a limited-edition full-size Birdhouse skateboard deck with a printed Tony Hawk autograph. If I wasnt in my late 30s, I mightve fallen for that one.Ticking three massive boxesThen, theres excellent news for the big three: music, skaters, and levels.Confirmed throwback tracks include Ace of Spades by Motorhead, Amoeba by Adolescents, Mass Appeal by Gang Starr, 96 Quite Bitter Beings by CKY, Not the Same by Bodyjar, and KRS-Ones Outta Here, alongside new songs. Hopefully, Activision also got the rights to Fight Like a Brave, Blitzkrieg Bop, Cut Chemist Suite, TNT, and My Adidas, but a mix of old and new keeps the Tony Hawk legacy alive, introducing all players to something different.Then, theres everyone you want on the board, and more: alumni include Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist, Chad Muska, Bucky Lasek, Kareem Campbell, Steve Caballero, Geoff Rowley, Andrew Reynolds, Elissa Steamer, Eric Koston, Rodney Mullen, Jamie Thomas, and Rune Glifberg; new skaters include Rayssa Leal, Chloe Covell, Jamie Foy, Zion Wright, and Yuto Horigome. Interestingly, theres no mention yet of Forbes 2024 30 Under 30 Tyshawn Jones, who revealed in the Breakfast Club podcast that he was part of a new THPS title; his name was conspicuously absent on initial release materials.The Waterpark level is the first of several all-new skate levels included in the game.ActivisionFinally, on top of all the returning levels, Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4 introduces new ones (plural), including the abandoned-looking Waterpark, shown in the reveal trailer; set in the Mojave Desert, it looks about as safe as the ill-fated real-life Action Park, but at least you can respawn after suffering a serious injury. It leaves the door wide open for DLC, too though if Waterpark is seemingly free, maybe well get lucky.Just one more thingDespite all this excitement, all is not quite guaranteed, as theres one small snag to report in the development and perhaps a reason as to why its nearly five years since this sewn-on sequel.THPS 1 + 2 was Vicarious Visions last-ever solo project under its old moniker; the studio has since been consumed by Blizzard and now works on Diablo IV. Instead, Iron Galaxy Studios, a game porting specialist that worked on the Windows release of Tony Hawk 1 + 2 is seamlessly picking up the slack though that presumably means theyre working with the same engine, which is a very good thing to hear.While Ill still inventorize my hat collection from least to most chewy in case of an unforeseen calamity, theres every reason to believe that Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4 will relive the glory days in the same way THPS 1 + 2 did: with arcadey, silly self-awareness, new objectives, punishingly fun challenges, a banging soundtrack, and the airport many of us have spent more time inside than any other.

Society has always influenced how we navigate lifeespecially when it comes to love and settling ... [+] downby measuring our progress against a social clock."gettyDo you feel a sense of control over your time, or has it been dictated for you throughout your life? A 2018 study in Socius found that many elite, college-educated women follow a structured life timelinefocusing on self-growth, then feeling ready for commitment and eventually rushing to find a partner. Despite prioritizing their career and personal development, societal forces push them toward marriage and family.Many people, predominantly female, feel trapped by the expectation to meet the right person, marry and start a family within a narrow window. The relentless ticking of the biological clock and the ideal of a two-parent household only add to the urgency.From a young age, were conditioned to follow an invisible social clock, or the expectation that life milestones (marriage, career success and parenthood) should happen at certain, predetermined points in time. This timeline can subtly coerce people into enduring unfulfilling relationships or rush into commitment before theyre truly ready.However, when women think they are falling off-schedule, they may struggle with regret, self-doubt and even judgment from others. Friends and family might even view their lives as incomplete or unsuccessful, reinforcing the burdensome idea that theres a right time for everything.Here are four ways to break free from the social clock mindset when it comes to finding love, marriage and relationships.1. Redefine Your Sense Of TimeSociety often dictates a rigid, structured timeline for major life milestoneswhat researchers call circumscribed time. This view treats time as linear, measurable and something we must keep up with, reinforcing a standardized social clock that pressures people to follow a specific sequenceeducation, career, marriage and parenthood within a set timeframe.But time isnt always rigidly structured. Adopting a mindset that redefines time as porousfluid, interconnected and shaped by individual rhythms and obligationscan offer a new perspective.Embracing porous time allows us to move at our own pace, focusing on genuine connections rather than arbitrary deadlines. Once you reframe what commitment in love means to you, it gets easier to reframe your thoughts around what it means to be left behind.Its easy to feel like youre falling behind when friends and peers seem to be hitting relationship milestones before you. But instead of thinking, I should be married by now, try shifting your perspective to I deserve a relationship that truly fulfills me.Love doesnt come with an expiration date. Many fulfilling relationships begin later in life, and research suggests that late marriages can be more stable due to greater emotional maturity and self-awareness. Instead of focusing on arbitrary deadlines, prioritize the quality of your relationship. True connection and compatibility matter more than meeting societal expectations.Your timeline is your own, and finding love isnt a raceits about what feels right for you.2. Embrace Uncertainties In Your PathIf you want to work on your well-being and build a fulfilling romantic relationship, try adopting a flexible mindset. The ability to adapt to changing situations, stay open to experiences and manage emotionsknown as psychological flexibilitycan help you maintain greater emotional well-being. In turn, this could lead to stronger, more satisfying relationships.However, if you rigidly follow a timelineexpecting to get engaged by a certain age or waiting for a partner to propose because it should happen at a specific timeyou might feel frustrated if things dont go as planned.Psychological flexibility helps you embrace uncertainty and find joy in the present, rather than tying happiness to external timelines. By staying open to change, you not only enhance your own emotional well-being but also improve your relationship from crumbling under the pressure of the social clock.Instead of stressing over whether things are happening on time, you can focus on building a strong connection with your partner, appreciating the relationship for what it is rather than what its supposed to be.3. Avoid Constant Comparison With OthersTheres something about those black-and-white retro wedding photos on Instagram that tugs at the heart. They have dreamy, timeless qualitylike a love story frozen in time. And if youre single or still figuring things out, staring at them can make you feel like youre falling behind.While some are picking out wedding venues, others are just trying to navigate their careers or even living with their parents. Life doesnt move at the same speed for everyone, but when youre constantly reminded of where others are, its hard not to feel like youre playing catch-up.Social media magnifies this feeling. People tend to share their highsgraduations, engagements, new jobsbecause those moments are celebrated. But the lowsbreakups, financial struggles, doubtsare usually kept private or shared only in small, trusted spaces. So, what we see is a highlight reel, not the full picture.In some cultures, as outlined in research published in PNAS, this pressure to keep up is even stronger. Collectivist societies, which value harmony and belonging, emphasize fitting in. Here, comparison isnt just a personal habitits a cultural norm.Youre expected to measure yourself against others, not just to compete, but to ensure youre keeping pace with whats expected. Milestones like marriage, homeownership and career success are markers of social approval. Not meeting these expectations can feel like failure, even when youre carving your own path.On the other hand, individualistic cultures encourage a different kind of comparison. Instead of asking, Am I where I should be? people might ask, Am I doing better than others? The focus shifts from fitting in to standing outstill a form of pressure, just in a different way.Breaking free from this cycle starts with awareness. Pay attention to when and why you compare yourself to others. What triggers it? Is it a particular type of post? A certain time of day? Write these thoughts down, and you might start noticing patterns. Take intentional breaks from social mediasometimes, just stepping back can change your perspective.Instead of measuring yourself against others, focus on your own strengths and progress. After all, the best milestones are the ones that feel right for you, not the ones that look good on a timeline.4. Prioritize Self-CompassionOne way to break free from social pressure is by focusing on what truly fulfills you and being kind to yourself. What brings you happiness versus what gives you purpose do not necessarily align, so its important to discover what is important to you.Research published in The Journal of Positive Psychology in 2013 suggests that our overall happiness stays relatively stable over time, shaped more by our personality than by specific events. Meaning, on the other hand, comes from weaving together our past, present and futureoften through acts of service, long-term goals or personal growth.Interestingly, finding meaning doesnt always lead to happiness. Take parenting, for exampleit can be stressful and exhausting, yet many still choose to raise children because it adds a deeper sense of purpose to their lives.Ultimately, those who carve out their own path rather than following societys expectations tend to experience greater long-term fulfilment. By embracing your unique journey, you cultivate a lasting sense of purpose and contentment.Whether youre single, in a relationship or redefining love on your terms, your fulfilment matters more than arbitrary deadlines. So, ask yourselfwould you rather follow someone elses timeline or forge your own path?Are you satisfied with how your current relationship is going or feeling rushed by the social clock? Take this science-backed test to find out: Relationship Satisfaction Scale

Thermo Fisher Scientific CIO Ryan Snyder believes business strategy and tech strategy should be woven together and that data should be co-owned across the company.

Apple's new iPhone 16e s (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)VCG via Getty ImagesIt is official, the iPhone 16e has no parts pairing. In one generation Apple has gone from some of the worst and stifling repair practices on the market, to setting industry examples. All it took was a (not so) little push.A teardown by iFixit confirmed that components can be swapped between different iPhone 16e models without losing software features. For the uninitiated, this is a practice known as parts pairing that Apple has employed across several devices in its roster for years.For example, it isnt possible to take a genuine iPhone 15 battery from one phone and place it into another without losing some features (such as battery health data) because the part hasnt been authenticated by Apple.Repair specialists have long rallied against this because it adds complicated and expensive steps to fixing hardware that you, the consumer, supposedly owns. Apple reversed its parts pairing policy last April in a landmark win for consumers and the pro-repair community who fought for it.In that announcement the company didnt mention that its hand had been forced by legislation from the EU and a particularly aggressive Right to Repair bill in Oregon, which explicitly banned parts pairing. But it is hard to ignore the timing. Oregons legislation came into effect on January 1st 2025, three months after the iPhone 16 release.The iPhone 16e isnt just free of parts pairing, its also more repairable across the board. The new electrically released adhesive makes removing the battery easier because it can be done with a jolt of electricity rather than fumbling with sticky strips, which can snap before the battery is released.Apples new battery technology could be a result of the EU's push for more easily replaceable batteries, as reflected in the 2023 EU Batteries Regulation, which comes into full effect in 2027.However, a separate piece of legislation, the EU Ecodesign regulation, offers two options for manufacturers. Either make batteries easily replaceable by the end-user, or ensure the devices battery retains at least 83% of its capacity after 500 full charge cycles. Right to Repair Europe has described this as an exemption and a huge missed opportunity to make all smartphone and tablet batteries removable and replaceable by end-users.The iPhone 16e Release Bodes Well For The iPhone 17Apple could argue that its phones fit that exemption considering they are IP68 rated and the company has claimed recent iPhone batteries can hold 80% of their original capacity at 1000 charges.Regardless, the company has made the iPhone 16 battery easier to remove through the new electrically released adhesive technology in the base iPhone 16, iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 Plus models. At the same time, improving the adhesive strips in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Either Apple received some legal advice that it would lose an argument that its phones are exempt from the EUs battery design laws, or it made the change because it is good PR that also complies with the law. Either way, the result is welcome.iFixit points out theres still work to do, though. The USB-C charging port now comes with a repair manual for the first time, unfortunately, its not easy to repair. Youve basically got to strip the case of components before you can get to the charging port. Charging ports are important components when it comes to repair, because they take a lot of daily wear and tear. Its wild to bury such an important part under essentially every other component, but now at least Apple spells out the process, the site explains.Improved reparability and the absence of parts pairing in the iPhone 16e shows Apple is sticking with its new repair friendly policy, even though its hand had to be forced. Completing a stunning turnaround in a single generation. This bodes well for the iPhone 17, which could make more repair friendly improvements and potentially use the new battery removal system on all iPhones and not just the base models.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 31: U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters after signing an ... [+] executive order, "Unleashing prosperity through deregulation," in the Oval Office on January 31, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump spoke to reporters about tariffs against China, Canada and Mexico and how the newly confirmed Interior Secretary Doug Burghum will coordinate with the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)Getty ImagesPresident Trump has imposed significant tariffs on top trading partners. This includes a 25% duty on goods from Canada and Mexico as well as an increase to 20% on Chinese goods. The Presidents rationale for targeting Canada and Mexico is their alleged failure to take sufficient action to curb the fentanyl crisis at the border. Additionally, he asserts that the United States is being exploited by its trade partnersThis will impact all industries with a recent article noting that vehicle prices may increase $3000. Healthcare is no different.Tariffs will either increase healthcare costs or decrease healthcare availability.What Are Tariffs?Tariffs are taxes levied by governments on imported goods, typically a percentage of their value. The incidence of this tax, who pays it, often (but not always) trickles down to consumers via higher prices or less available goods. The new tariffs seek to shield domestic industries or penalize trade partners. Used historically for revenue or trade balance adjustments, tariffs remain contentious, sparking debates over their efficacy and consumer impact. The challenge is that domestic industries can increase prices or be forced to shift to less efficient production. More recently, another challenge is that delivery of goods has become a global enterprise.The Potential Positives Of TariffsThere is a potential for increased domestic development of product lines with reduced international dependence. Scarcity breads ingenuity. Tariffs have the possibility in the long-run to develop resilience within the United States healthcare market. By raising import costs, tariffs incentivize domestic production of critical medical goods, reducing dependence on foreign supply chains. For instance, the 2022 intravenous contrast shortagetriggered by Chinas COVID-19 lockdowns slashing iodinated contrast media exportsleft U.S. hospitals scrambling, delaying scans and in some cases treatments. IV contrast is often needed to diagnose things like cancers or infections. The argument from tariff supporters is that it could create jobs and enhance national security. It could also serve as a short-term tool in negotiations for better trade rates.Three Negative Impacts of Tariffs On HealthcareTariffs will increase healthcare costs which will then be passed on to patients in one of two ways either increased cost or decreased care. Higher healthcare costs could disproportionately hit low-income and chronically ill patients reliant on affordable imports. The American Hospital Association is advocating with the Advanced Medical Technology Association to obtain an exemption for healthcare goods. 1) Increased Cost Of Generic DrugsThe additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports will elevate costs for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), many of which are sourced from China. This generally doesnt impact branded medications but generics, which will see a supply chain price increase which is almost certainly passed down to the consumer in some fashion or another. For example, generic antibiotics like amoxicillin or common steroids like hydrocortisone rely heavily on Chinese APIs. This could raise patient out-of-pocket costs or strain hospital budgets, potentially reducing access to essential medications. It will be interesting to see if companies are able to shift their API to countries not impacted by the tariffs that may have more quality oversight. Will this spawn a new era of United States development? Is that an efficient pivot?2) Higher Prices For Medical Devices69% of U.S.-marketed medical devices are manufactured entirely outside of the U.S., according to Medical Device Network.The AHA notes a large amount of sourcing of everyday medical supplies from blood pressure cuffs to sterile drapes coming from China. The bigger challenge may actually come in the 25% tariff on Mexican imports. Mexico has grown rapidly in medical device manufacturing with its lower wages and lower manufacturing costs. Mexico is seventh in the world for medical exporting and is the top exporter of medical goods to the United States. This includes everything from ultrasound machines to infusion pumps. Maquiladora zones are thriving with Mexico creating $13.7 billion in healthcare exports.This supply chain impact will put pressure on your private physician, hospital and surgery centers which will be passed on to patients and insurers.3) Economic Contraction Will Reduce Healthcare FundingThe tariffs imposed on Mexico, Canada, and China are expected to contract the economy, indirectly undermining healthcare delivery. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlantas GDPNow model now predicts a 2.8% decline in GDP for Q1 2025 due to reduced trade and investment. Currently, 143.3 million individuals receive their health insurance or subsidies for health coverage through the government, accounting for approximately 45% of total healthcare spending, with private businesses covering the remainder. An economic downturn will inevitably lead to a decline in healthcare delivery.Why Economists Dislike Tariffs, A Technical DiscussionNobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman famously urged society to evaluate programs based on their outcomes rather than their intentions.Thats why most economists dislike things like the minimum wage, tariffs and the corporate income tax.How Do Tariffs Work And How Do Trade Wars Actually Happen?Lets say Timmy loves candy bars, and his parents give him $1 a day to buy one after school. Its the highlight of his day.Timmy lives in Chocolate Town, a city with a large labor force and ample space, making it highly efficient at producing labor-intensive, intricate and handmade chocolate candy bars. Just next door is Candyland, a town rich in capital and technology. Candyland specializes in manufacturing machine-made chocolate candy bars in a wide variety of flavors with remarkable efficiency.According to the Heckscher-Ohlin model in economics, each city should specialize in goods that leverage its plentiful resourcesChocolate Town can focus on handmade candy bars and Candyland on machine-made onesand engage in free trade to exploit their comparative advantage.Despite living in Chocolate Town, Timmy loves the diverse selection of chocolate candy produced in Candyland. As a result, he typically chooses a different flavor of machine-made candy each daysome days opting for peanut butter, other days enjoying coconut, and so on.However, Chocolate Town just imposed a tariffan import taxon Candylands machine-made candy bars, raising their price in Chocolate Towns market. This protectionist measure aims to shield Chocolate Towns local candy producers from unfair competition. As a result, Timmy, who only has $1 and who prefers the machine-made bars, is stuck buying handmade ones produced locally, reducing his consumer choice and potentially increasing his costs.In response, Candyland retaliates with a counter-tariff on Chocolate Towns handmade candy bars, igniting a trade war. This escalation further distorts trade, forcing both cities to produce goods outside their comparative advantages.Chocolate Town, despite lacking the necessary capital stock, may attempt to manufacture machine-made candy bars despite having little experience operating the intricate candy-making machines. Although it has spent years perfecting world-class handmade chocolate bars, it now struggles to produce 31 different flavors using unfamiliar machinery.Meanwhile, Candyland faces its own challenges as it attempts to produce handmade candy bars despite its shortage of skilled labor. Its workforce, accustomed to operating complex candy-making machines, now finds itself manually squirting caramel into designer chocolatesan inefficient and unfamiliar process.This misallocation of resources results in productive inefficiency and a deadweight lossa reduction in overall economic welfare that benefits neither producers nor consumers.In the end, Timmy now has to ask his parents for $1.25 for a candy bar and struggles to find the one he likes.Tariffs In Healthcare EconomicsBack to healthcare, tariffs distort intertemporal resource allocation, elevating input costs (e.g., Chinese pharmaceutical ingredients) and triggering supply-side inflation. This parallels the minimum wage critique: both policies impose artificial price floors, reducing market-clearing transactions and welfare.History Provides A Cautionary Tariff TaleThe Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 levied tariffs averaging 20% on over 20,000 imported goods, intended to shield U.S. farmers and manufacturers during the Great Depression. Instead, it most likely made the depression worse. Douglas Irwins book is a fantastic read on the issue. Global trade plummeted as nations like Canada and Britain retaliated with their own tariffs, slashing United States exports by 67% from 1929 to 1933. The agricultural sector, expecting relief, saw crop prices collapse. More importantly, if your a politician, its one of the factors that led to increasing animosity toward then President Herbert Hoover.

ParadiseCredit: HuluIf you enjoy action-packed political thrillers, definitely give the new Hulu series Paradise a watch. The series, from This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman, combines traditional political thriller sensibilities with near-future apocalyptic sci-fi to create a twisty-turny story filled with mystery, action and a great cast of characters.The show follows Secret Service agent, Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) and his complicated relationship with president Cal Bradford (James Marsden). It jumps around in time, beginning with Xaviers first days in the White House with his boozy new boss, before leaping ahead to a grisly murder in the present timeline and the first shocking twist, which comes right at the end of the first episode. (More on that below).Its difficult to discuss this show without spoilers, but its the kind of series I recommend you go into blind. Ill get to spoilers in a moment. First, some spoiler-free thoughts for those of you who havent watched yet.Like most political thrillers, Paradise is filled with compelling mysteries, and the first season isnt at all shy about solving those mysteries, which is a breath of fresh air. Too often, shows introduce a bunch of big questions and then drag their feet, ultimately leading to unsatisfying payoffs. Paradise avoids this by telling a self-contained story that works as a standalone season. If it ended after Episode 8, Id be okay with that. But the stage is clearly set for more.The cast is the other big selling point here. Brown is terrific as Xavier Collins, a genuinely good man who finds himself mired in impossible situation after impossible situation, faced with tough choices and overwhelming odds. Marsdens President Bradford is much more than meets the eye, though he seems an affable sort (and Marsden is just such a likeable guy, its hard not to like every character he plays).The third main character is powerful billionaire, Samantha Sinatra Redmond (Julianne Nicholson) the worlds richest self-made woman, whose secrets run dark and deep. She could have easily come across as a mustache-twirling villain, but Nicholson gives her surprising depth.Xaviers Secret Service detail includes Nicole Robinson (Krys Marshall) who has her own illicit ties to the president; Jane Driscoll (Nicole Brydon Bloom) who was perhaps the biggest surprise in the show for me; and Billy Pace (Jon Beavers), Xaviers best friend whose chequered past has given him a unique part to play in Sinatras new world order.The show isnt perfect. It can dally too long in the sentimental. The non-chronological storytelling works well for the most part, but at times it stalls out, spinning its wheels or retreading old ground. What I dislike most of all is the color-grading, however. Why the shows creators felt the need to push everything through a blue filter is beyond me. This, combined with the luminous glow effect makes everything look distractingly cheap in a show that is clearly expensive and largely well-shot. The technique is used to differentiate flashbacks from present day, but this isnt always the case. Some flashbacks look natural, others are still color-graded. Some present-timeline scenes dont seem graded at all! Its confusing!To visualize this, I present you with the same image twice. First, the bad color-grading:ParadiseCredit: HuluNow, the same image with natural color-grading:ParadiseCredit: HuluThe tyranny of beige-and-blue must end! Theres no reason to use different color-grading to signal flashback vs present day. There are other ways to do this, from using a letterbox around some scenes to simply trusting that viewers are able to tell the difference based on context. Weirdly, the show does a terrific job at de-aging characters in some flashbacks. But I found the aesthetic incredibly distracting throughout, and this more than anything else caused me to stop watching after the first episode, waiting several weeks to return.Episode 1 spoilers ahead.Im glad I did. The series, bad color-grading aside, is a lot of fun. In the first episode, Xavier Collins finds the president brutally murdered in his bedroom. He kicks off an investigation that involves not only the murder, but the disappearance of a top-secret tablet containing a bunch of state secrets. But the biggest twist comes at the end of the first episode, when we discover that nothing is as it seems. In the present timeline, this is not the America we know at all, but rather a massive underground bunker made to appear like Anywhere USA, replete with a fake sky that emulates a day and night cycle, weather events and all the rest. As with all utopias, this one is filled with dark secrets that threaten to explode at any minute.The world outside this paradise has plunged into some kind of massive, global catastrophe, and for reasons we dont fully understand yet, Xavier Collins has come to hate the man he has sworn to protect. But even though he despises Bradford, he sets out to find the killer, leading him down a path filled with even deeper, darker mysteries about the true nature of this place and the events that lead them all here. The people Xavier knows and trusts have their own dark secrets, and Xavier soon finds himself in a perilous mission to tear the whole thing down.I wasnt really sure about Paradise until the fourth episode, which makes some bold narrative choices that I wasnt expecting. Episode 7 is the one most people are raving about, and with good reason. Its basically a full-blown disaster movie. The finale isnt quite as good, and some of the storylines wrapped up a little too nicely, but overall I was pretty happy with how things shook out in the end. I can definitely see how theyre planning on a second season, but its unclear how exactly it would work given the fact that most of the big questions were answered. Im also left with one big complaint about Xavier and Cals fraught relationship: Xaviers reason for hating the president simply doesnt make sense to me, though I wont go into specifics.Overall, I give the series a glowing (blue-filtered) recommendation. Its not perfect but its a fun political thriller that keeps you guessing and pays off in the end. Brown, Marsden, Nicholson and the rest of the cast really nail it, and the writing is solid throughout. This isnt the smartest thriller out there. Its not as gritty or unique as something like Apples Silo, though its certainly better-paced. Mostly, its fun and capable and at times even gripping. Its absolutely worth a watch. All eight episodes are now streaming on Hulu.Heres the trailer:Have you watched Paradise? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.